博士号
hakushigō
The Japanese phrase for PhD is 博士号 (hakushigō).
博士号 refers to the highest academic degree awarded by a university. In the specific field of medicine, 医学博士 can be used to denote a doctorate in medicine.
Which one should you use?
While 博士号 refers to the degree itself, you may also see the form 博士. In many contexts, such as when introducing oneself or listing a title, the suffix 号 is omitted, leaving just 博士.
How do you pronounce it?
hakushigō
Did you know?
- Japan has a unique 'doctoral degree by prior achievement' system where distinguished individuals can be awarded 博士号 based on their professional contributions instead of a thesis.
- The term 博士 dates back to ancient China and originally referred to a scholarly official or an expert in the classics rather than a university degree.
- In Japanese pop culture, the word 博士 is frequently used for 'mad scientist' characters, such as 博士 in various anime, regardless of their actual schooling.
Examples in context
- 彼（かれ）は博士ですHe is a PhD holder.
- 彼女（かのじょ）は博士号（ごう）を持（も）っていますShe has a PhD degree.
- 彼（かれ）は博士号（はくしごう）を取（と）ったんだよHe got his PhD degree.
- 山田（やまだ）先生は医学博士ですか？Is Dr. Yamada a PhD holder in medicine?
- 彼（かれ）は心理学の博士号（はくしごう）を持（も）っていますHe has a PhD degree in psychology.
- 彼（かれ）は博士（はくし）なんだHe's a PhD holder.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are talking about their career goals.
- 結衣 Yui健太さんは大学院に進みますか。Kenta-san wa daigakuin ni susumimasu ka.Kenta, are you going to graduate school?
- 健太 Kentaはい、博士号を取りたいと思っています。Hai, hakasegō o toritai to omotte imasu.Yes, I'm thinking about getting a PhD.
- 結衣 Yuiすごいですね！勉強は大変そうですが。Sugoi desu ne! Benkyō wa taihen sō desu ga.That's amazing! Though the studying seems tough.
- 健太 Kenta頑張って研究を続けたいです。Ganbatte kenkyū o tsuzuketai desu.I want to do my best and continue my research.
