小学校

• Reading: しょうがっこう
• Romaji: shougakkou
• Kanji breakdown: 小 (shou) — small; 学 (gaku) — study; 校 (kou) — school
• Pronunciation: /ɕoː.gak.koː/

Meaning

Elementary school; primary school. The first stage of compulsory education in Japan.

Japanese elementary school covers grades 1-6 (ages 6-12). Part of a series: 小学校 → 中学校 (junior high) → 高校 (high school). Students are called 小学生.

Examples

1. 息子は来年小学校に入学する。 My son will start elementary school next year.
2. 小学校の友達と久しぶりに会った。 I met up with a friend from elementary school after a long time.
3. この小学校は百年以上の歴史がある。 This elementary school has over a hundred years of history.

Usage Guide

Context: education, childhood, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 小 (small), 学 (study), and 校 (school).

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal