予備校
Meaning: A cram school specifically for university entrance exam preparation, attended by students (often 浪人) aiming for competitive universities.
予備校 are intensive prep schools focused almost exclusively on getting students into their target universities. Major chains like 駿台 (Sundai), 河合塾 (Kawaijuku), and 代々木ゼミナール (Yoyogi Seminar) are household names. Students attend either as 現役生 (current high schoolers supplementing school) or as 浪人生 (gap year students). The culture is intense, with long hours and competitive atmospheres.
Examples
- 浪人決まったから来月から予備校に通うよ。 决定复读了,下个月开始去补习班。Como ya es seguro que seré rōnin, el mes que viene empiezo a ir a la academia preparatoria.재수 확정됐으니까 다음 달부터 입시 학원에 다닐 거야.
- 予備校の先生の授業のほうが学校より分かりやすい。 补习班老师的课比学校的更容易懂。Las clases del profesor de la academia son más fáciles de entender que las del instituto.입시 학원 선생님 수업이 학교보다 이해하기 쉬워.
- 予備校代だけで年間100万円以上かかるんだよね。 光是补习班的费用一年就要一百万日元以上呢。Solo la academia preparatoria cuesta más de un millón de yenes al año.입시 학원비만 연간 100만 엔 이상 든다니까.
Pronunciation
/jo.bi.koː/
Usage Guide
Context: education, family, casual conversation
Tone: neutral, informational
✓ Do Say
- 予備校選びって結構大事だから、体験授業行ってみなよ。 (Choosing a cram school is pretty important, so try a trial class.)选择补习班挺重要的,你去试听一下吧。(选择补习班很重要,去试听一下课程吧。)Elegir academia preparatoria es bastante importante, así que ve a una clase de prueba.입시 학원 선택이 꽤 중요하니까 체험 수업 한번 가 봐.
- 予備校なしで東大受かるのはかなりすごいよ。 (Getting into Todai without cram school is seriously impressive.)不上补习班就考进东大的人真的很厉害。(不上补习班就能考进东京大学的人真的很了不起。)Entrar en Todai sin academia preparatoria es realmente impresionante.입시 학원 없이 도쿄대에 붙으면 정말 대단한 거야.
✗ Don't Say
- 「予備校に行かないと受からない」は言い過ぎ (Saying 'you can't pass without cram school' is discouraging and not always true)'不上补习班就考不上'这话说过头了(说'不上补习班就考不上'会打击人,而且也不一定是事实)Decir «no puedes aprobar sin academia preparatoria» es desalentador y no siempre es cierto.「입시 학원에 안 가면 못 붙어」라는 말은 지나치다 — 항상 맞는 말도 아니고 의욕을 꺾는다
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 予備校 with 塾 — 予備校 specifically targets university entrance exams, while 塾 is broader and serves younger students too
Origin & History
From 予備 (preparation/preliminary) + 校 (school). The institution type emerged in the early 20th century and became a massive industry during Japan's postwar education boom.
Cultural Context
Era: Postwar era onwards, industry peak in 1990s
Generation: All ages — a well-known institution
Social background: Middle to upper class (expensive tuition)
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Major chains are nationwide but most concentrated in urban areas.
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