転校

• Reading: てんこう
• Romaji: tenkou
• Kanji breakdown: 転 (ten) — turn, change, revolve; 校 (kou) — school
• Pronunciation: /teŋ.koː/

Meaning

Changing schools; transferring to a different school. The act of leaving one school to enrol at another.

A noun and suru verb (転校する). Primarily used for elementary through high school transfers, not university. Related compounds: 転校生 (transfer student), 転校届 (transfer notification form). A common theme in Japanese school life, anime, and manga where a transfer student often drives the plot.

Examples

1. 父の転勤で来月転校することになった。 Because of my father's job transfer, I'll be changing schools next month.
2. 転校生が自己紹介をしてクラスに入ってきた。 The transfer student introduced themselves and joined the class.
3. 小学校のとき三回も転校した。 I transferred schools three times when I was in elementary school.

Usage Guide

Context: school, family, relocation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 転 (ten, to turn/change) and 校 (kou, school). Together, 'changing school' — rotating from one institution to another.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Children and teens

Social background: Universal