高等学校

kōtōgakkō

senior high school

私は高等学校でサッカー部に所属していました。

I was a member of the soccer club in high school.

formal

A secondary educational institution in Japan for students aged 15 to 18, equivalent to grades 10-12 in the U.S. system. It follows junior high school (中学校) and prepares students for higher education or employment.

日本の高等学校は3年間の課程です。

Japanese high schools have a three-year curriculum.

彼は高等学校を卒業して大学に進学した。

He graduated from high school and went on to university.

In Japan, high school is not mandatory, though over 90% of students attend. It is divided into academic (進学校) and vocational (専門学校) tracks.

Collocations

高等学校卒業high school graduation高等学校進学high school enrollment高等学校教師high school teacher

Synonyms

高校高校高等学院

Antonyms

中学校小学校

Related Phrases

進学校phrase

academic high school

専門学校phrase

vocational high school

Pro Tip

Abbreviation

The common abbreviation '高校' (kōkō) is used in everyday conversation.

Gold Rule

Formal vs. Informal

Use '高等学校' in formal writing and '高校' in casual speech.

Word Origin

From 高等 (kōtō, 'higher') + 学校 (gakkō, 'school'). The term distinguishes it from 中学校 (junior high school) and 小学校 (elementary school).

Usage Notes

While '高校' (kōkō) is the common abbreviation, '高等学校' is the formal name used in official documents and academic contexts.

Word Breakdown

高等

higher

prefix

学校

school

root

和英辞典

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