大学教授
daigaku kyōju
The English phrase 'university professor' is translated into Japanese as 大学教授 (daigaku kyōju).
大学教授 is used to refer to a teacher holding a high-ranking academic position at a university. In many settings, particularly within a university, people will often refer to a professor simply as 教授 or attach the title to their surname, for example, [Surname] 教授.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 大学 (daigaku), meaning 'university' and 教授 (kyōju), meaning 'professor'.
Which one should you use?
While 大学教授 is the full term for 'university professor', the word 教授 alone is frequently used to denote the academic rank of professor. Additionally, 大学の教授 is a more formal way to say 'university professor'.
How do you pronounce it?
daigaku kyōju
Did you know?
- In Japan, students often address their professors using the title 先生 (sensei) instead of 教授 (kyōju). While 教授 is their official rank, 先生 is the standard social term for anyone in a teaching or mentoring role.
- The term 大学 (daigaku) shares its name with a foundational Confucian text, meaning that the word for 'university' is literally rooted in the concept of 'Great Learning'.
- In Japanese pop culture, a character being called a 教授 (kyōju) is often a shorthand signal to the audience that the character possesses genius-level intellect, regardless of whether they are actually lecturing.
Examples in context
- 彼はかつて大学教授であり、研究者でもあった。He was a former university professor and researcher.This sentence is useful for describing someone who previously held the position of 大学教授.Tatoeba #873954 by thyc244, translation #803339 by Source_VOA
- 大学の教授になりたいです。I want to become a university professor.
- 先生、この本は面白かったです。Professor, this book was interesting.
- 私の兄は大学教授です。Watashi no ani wa daigaku kyōju desu.My older brother is a university professor.
- 彼女は有名な大学教授として知られている。Kanojo wa yūmei na daigaku kyōju to shite shirarete iru.She is known as a famous university professor.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their career aspirations in a cafe.
- 大翔 Hiroto将来は何になりたいの？Shōrai wa nani ni naritai no?What do you want to be in the future?
- 結衣 Yui私は大学教授になりたいと思っているよ。Watashi wa daigaku kyōju ni naritai to omotte iru yo.I am thinking I want to become a university professor.
- 大翔 Hirotoすごいね、尊敬するよ。Sugoi ne, sonkei suru yo.That's amazing, I respect that.
- 結衣 Yui研究に一生懸命取り組みたいんだ。Kenkyū ni isshōkenmei torikumitai nda.I want to work hard on my research.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
