高校一年生
kōkō ichinensei
The English phrase tenth grade is translated into Japanese as 高校一年生 (kōkō ichinensei). If unsure, use 高校一年生. Wiktionary also lists 高一 (kōichi).
Meaning: Translations (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 高校一年生 | kōkō ichinensei | |
| 高一 | kōichi | [ko̞ːit͡ɕi] (narrow) |
In Japan, the tenth grade is referred to as the first year of high school rather than the tenth grade of schooling.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 高校一年生 is composed of 高校 (high school), 一年 (first year) and 生 (student).
Which one should you use?
高校一年生 is the full term, while 高一 is a much shorter abbreviated form used frequently in casual conversation to mean high school first year.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say someone is in the tenth grade, you use the noun followed by the copula です. For example, 高校一年生です means is a tenth grader.
How do you pronounce it?
kōkō ichinensei
Did you know?
- If you use the word 生 as a suffix for a student, you are using a character that also means 'raw' or 'fresh', much like the 'raw' fish in 'sushi'.
- The transition to 高校一年生 is often marked by a dramatic change in school uniforms, as students move from junior high to high school systems.
- While 高校一年生 denotes the grade, Japanese students often identify themselves by their 'class' number, such as saying they are in 1年2組 (first year, class 2).
Examples in context
- 私は高校一年生です。I'm in the tenth grade.This sentence is useful for stating that you are in the tenth grade using 高校一年生.Tatoeba #157103 by bunbuku, translation #4356591 by CK
- 来週、 高校二年生 の修学旅行があるよ。Next week, there's a school trip for the tenth-graders.
- 私の弟は高校一年生です。Watashi no otouto wa koukou ichinensei desu.My younger brother is in tenth grade.
- 高校一年生の頃は、部活がとても忙しかったです。Koukou ichinensei no koro wa, bukatsu ga totemo isogashikatta desu.When I was in tenth grade, club activities were very busy.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their younger siblings at school.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔くんの妹さんは、高校一年生なの？Hiroto-kun no imoutosan wa, koukou ichinensei nano?Is Hiroto's younger sister in tenth grade?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、高校一年生だよ。Un, koukou ichinensei da yo.Yeah, she is in tenth grade.
- 陽葵 Himari学校生活はどうかな？Gakkou seikatsu wa dou kana?I wonder how her school life is going.
- 大翔 Hiroto毎日とても楽しそうだよ。Mainichi totemo tanoshisou da yo.She seems to be having a lot of fun every day.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tenth grade” translations and entries 高一, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
