Translation and Meaning of: 高等学校 - koutougakkou

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the educational system in Japan, you may have come across the word 高等学校[こうとうがっこう]. It is essential for understanding the Japanese school structure and frequently appears in educational materials, animes, and even in everyday conversations. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in the cultural and linguistic context of Japan. Additionally, you will discover practical tips for memorizing this word and understanding its relevance.

The term 高等学校[こうとうがっこう] means "high school" in English.

The word 高等学校[こうとうがっこう] refers to high school in Japan. Literally translating, 高等 means "high level" or "superior," while 学校 means "school." Together, these words form the term that designates the educational stage equivalent to Brazilian high school. It is important to highlight that, in Japan, this phase lasts three years and generally includes students aged 15 to 18.

Unlike Brazil, where high school is mandatory, in Japan only elementary school (小学校[しょうがっこう]) and the first cycle of junior high school (中学校[ちゅうがっこう]) are compulsory. Therefore, senior high school (高等学校[こうとうがっこう]) is seen as a preparatory stage for university entrance exams and the job market, being highly valued in Japanese society.

Origin and cultural use of 高等学校

The term 高等学校 emerged during the educational reform of the Meiji period (1868-1912), when Japan modernized its education system modeled after the Western style. Before that, education was based on traditional schools such as terakoya (temple schools) and samurai schools. The adoption of the term reflects Western influence on the Japanese school structure.

In the cultural context, 高等学校 is seen as a milestone in the lives of Japanese youth. Many animes and dramas, such as "Assassination Classroom" and "K-On!", portray the daily life of students during this phase, showcasing everything from the rigors of exams to extracurricular activities. This media representation helps to reinforce the significance of the word in popular imagination.

How to memorize 高等学校[こうとうがっこう]?

A useful tip to memorize this word is to break down its kanji. 高等[こうとう] can be associated with "high level," while 学校[がっこう] is a basic word that means "school." Putting the two together makes it easier to remember that it refers to high school. Another strategy is to create flashcards with sentences like "I study at 高等学校" to reinforce the term in your vocabulary.

Additionally, hearing the pronunciation [こうとうがっこう] repeatedly in real contexts, such as in anime dialogues or educational videos, helps to internalize the word. Many students also use apps like Anki to practice the term in complete sentences, which makes long-term memorization easier.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 高校 (koukou) - High school; secondary school.
• 高等学校 (koutougakkou) - High school; equivalent to "high school" in English.
• 高等教育機関 (koutou kyouiku kikan) - Higher education institution; it can refer to any institution that offers education beyond the secondary level.
• 高等学 (koutougaku) - Generic term referring to higher education; less common.

高等学校

Romaji: koutougakkou
Kana: こうとうがっこう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: Secondary School

Meaning in English: senior high school

Definition: High school course offered in schools called lyceums, according to the curricular guidelines established by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology.

Example Sentences - (高等学校) koutougakkou

See below some example sentences:

私は高等学校に通っています。

Watashi wa kōtōgakkō ni kayotte imasu

I am attending high school.

I'm going to high school.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 高等学校 (koutou gakkou) - The noun that means "high school".
• に (ni) - grammatical particle that indicates the direction or purpose of the action, in this case "to go to"
• 通っています (kayotteimasu) - The verb that means "to be attending" in the polite present continuous form is "通っています" (している, shite iru) for informal contexts.