奨学金
shōgakukin[ɕo̞ːɡa̠kɯ̟kʲĩɴ]
The English word scholarship is translated into Japanese as 奨学金 (shōgakukin).
奨学金 is the standard term for a scholarship. While it can refer to merit-based grants, in Japan, it is frequently used to refer to student loans that must be repaid.
Meaning: study allowance (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 奨学金 is composed of three parts: 奨 (encourage), 学 (study) and 金 (money).
Which one should you use?
While 奨学金 is the general term, other specific forms exist: 学資援助 emphasizes financial aid and support for students. 留学奨学金 refers specifically to scholarships for studying abroad. 国内奨学金 denotes scholarships within a student's home country. And 大学院奨学金 is used for scholarships specifically intended for graduate students.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the intent to apply for one, use the verb 申し込む (mōshikomu) (e.g., 奨学金を申し込む).
How do you pronounce it?
shōgakukin
Did you know?
- Because 奨学金 often implies debt, some Japanese students refer to their loan burden as 奨学金という名の借金, meaning 'a debt in the name of a scholarship'.
- Japanese has a specific term 返還不要 (henkan fuyō) meaning 'repayment unnecessary' which is frequently attached to 奨学金 to distinguish gifts from loans.
- The character 金 (kin) used in 奨学金 doesn't just mean 'money' but specifically refers to gold or metallic currency in historical contexts.
Examples in context
- 奨学金をもらいました。I got the scholarship.This sentence is useful for saying you received a scholarship using 奨学金.Tatoeba #9678911 by small_snow, translation #7113838 by CM
- 奨学金を申し込むつもりだよ。I am going to apply for a scholarship.This sentence is useful for expressing an intent to apply for a scholarship using 奨学金.Tatoeba #147104 by small_snow, translation #258085 by CC
- その奨学金に申し込むつもりです。I'm going to apply for the scholarship.Tatoeba #160035 by bunbuku, translation #254487 by CK
- 彼女は奨学金で留学しています。She is studying abroad on a scholarship.
- 大学院の奨学金を申請しました。I applied for a scholarship for graduate school.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are talking about university expenses at a cafe.
- 結衣 Yui奨学金はいくらもらえますか？shougakukin wa ikura moraemasu ka?How much can I get in scholarship?
- 大翔 Hiroto月々、五万円くらいですよ。tsukizuki, go-man en kurai desu yo.It is about fifty thousand yen per month.
- 結衣 Yuiそれはとても助かりますね。sore wa totemo tasukarimasu ne.That is a big help, isn't it?
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、生活が楽になります。hai, seikatsu ga raku ni narimasu.Yes, it makes daily life easier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scholarship” translations and entries 奨学金, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
