中学校

• Reading: ちゅうがっこう
• Romaji: chuugakkou
• Kanji breakdown: 中 (chuu) — middle, inside; 学 (gaku) — learning, study; 校 (kou) — school
• Pronunciation: /tɕɯː.gak.koː/

Meaning

Junior high school; middle school. The three-year compulsory education stage for ages 12-15.

A noun referring to the middle stage of Japanese compulsory education, covering grades 7-9. Often shortened to 中学 (chuugaku) in casual speech. Students wear uniforms and join club activities (部活). It bridges elementary school (小学校) and high school (高校).

Examples

1. 来年から中学校に通います。 Starting next year, I'll be going to junior high school.
2. 中学校の時にサッカー部に入っていた。 I was in the soccer club when I was in junior high.
3. 日本の中学校では制服を着なければならない。 In Japanese junior high schools, you have to wear a uniform.

Usage Guide

Context: education, daily life, school system

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 中 (chuu, middle) and 学校 (gakkou, school). Literally middle school — positioned between elementary (小学校) and high school (高等学校).

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal