卒業式

• 読み: そつぎょうしき
• ローマ字: sotsugyōshiki
• 漢字の分解: 卒 (finish/graduate) + 業 (work/studies) + 式 (ceremony) → graduation ceremony
• 発音: /so.tsɯ.ɡʲoː.ɕi.ki/

意味

Graduation ceremony; the formal event marking completion of a school or university program.

卒業式 is an emotional milestone in Japanese education. High school ceremonies are formal and often tearful, with students receiving diplomas individually and singing the school song. University graduations are more festive — students wear 袴 (hakama, traditional clothing) or costumes, take countless photos, and celebrate with family. The ceremony represents the end of one chapter and is treated with great sentimental importance.

例文

1. 卒業式で泣きすぎて先生に笑われた。
2. 卒業式に袴レンタルするの忘れてて焦ったわ。
3. 卒業式の日に好きだった人に告白した。

使い方ガイド

場面: school, family, life events

トーン: emotional, celebratory

正しい言い方

• 卒業式って終わってから寂しくなるよね。 (You feel so lonely after the graduation ceremony, don't you?)
• 卒業式のあとみんなで写真撮りまくった。 (After graduation we took so many photos together.)

避ける言い方

• 卒業式に「やっと終わった」と言うのは場の雰囲気を壊す (Saying 'finally it's over' at a graduation ceremony kills the sentimental mood)

よくある間違い

• Not knowing that Japanese university 卒業式 often involve costumes and cosplay — it's a unique cultural tradition, not disrespectful

起源と歴史

From 卒業 (graduation) + 式 (ceremony). Formal graduation ceremonies became standard in Japanese schools during the Meiji era as part of the modernization of the education system.

文化的背景

時代: Meiji era tradition, ongoing

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal

地域メモ: Used across all of Japan. Typically held in March, coinciding with Japan's academic year end.