高校生

• Reading: こうこうせい
• Romaji: koukousei
• Kanji breakdown: 高 (kou) — high; 校 (kou) — school; 生 (sei) — student
• Pronunciation: /koː.koː.seː/

Meaning

High school student.

Refers to students in 高等学校 (senior high school), typically ages 15-18. Part of a series: 小学生 → 中学生 → 高校生 → 大学生. High school is not compulsory in Japan but over 98% of students attend.

Examples

1. 姉は高校生の時にアメリカに留学した。 My older sister studied abroad in America when she was in high school.
2. 高校生は制服を着る学校が多い。 Many high schools require students to wear uniforms.
3. 高校生のアルバイトには制限がある。 There are restrictions on part-time jobs for high school students.

Usage Guide

Context: education, daily life, youth

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 高校 (high school, abbreviation of 高等学校) and 生 (student).

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal