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A1 noun #3,760 mais comum 10 min de leitura

学生

gakusei Top 3,760

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas 学生 em 30 segundos

Explicação 学生 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '学生' (gakusei) is one of the first nouns you learn to identify yourself and others. You should focus on the basic 'A wa B desu' (A is B) structure. For example, 'Watashi wa gakusei desu' (I am a student). You will also learn to ask others if they are students using 'ka'. At this stage, you don't need to worry about the deep nuances between 'gakusei' and 'seito' as much, but you should know that 'gakusei' is the polite, standard way to refer to yourself if you are in any form of post-secondary education. You will also encounter the word in simple lists of occupations alongside 'sensei' (teacher) and 'kaishain' (office worker). The key is to recognize the kanji and associate it with the sound 'ga-ku-se-i'.

At the A2 level, you begin to use '学生' (gakusei) with more descriptive particles and adjectives. You will learn to specify where you study using the particle 'no', such as 'Nihongo gakkou no gakusei' (A student of a Japanese school). You will also start using the word with 'node' or 'kara' to explain reasons: 'Gakusei na no de, okane ga arimasen' (Because I am a student, I don't have money). You should also become familiar with the plural form 'gakusei-tachi' when talking about a group of friends or classmates. At this level, you should start making the distinction between 'gakusei' (university level) and 'seito' (middle/high school level) to sound more natural in conversation.

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By B1, you are expected to use '学生' (gakusei) in more complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses. For example, 'Watashi ga gakusei datta toki...' (When I was a student...). You will also encounter 'gakusei' in compound words that are common in daily life, like 'ryuugakusei' (international student) and 'gakusei-shou' (student ID). You should be comfortable discussing your 'gakusei seikatsu' (student life) and the challenges of being a student in Japan. This level also introduces the concept of 'shakaijin' (working adult) as the opposite of 'gakusei', and you should be able to compare these two social roles using comparative structures.

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At the B2 level, you will encounter '学生' (gakusei) in more formal and abstract contexts. This includes news reports about 'gakusei no shuushoku-ritsu' (student employment rates) or 'gakusei undou' (student movements/activism). You should understand the nuance of using 'gakusei' as a collective noun in sociological discussions. You will also learn more specific types of students, such as 'tokubetsu chuugakusei' or 'kenkyuusei'. Your ability to use 'gakusei' should extend to formal writing, using 'de aru' instead of 'desu', and understanding how the term fits into the broader Japanese educational hierarchy and its impact on the labor market.

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At the C1 level, you should be able to discuss the philosophical and historical implications of the word '学生' (gakusei). This includes understanding its roots in the Meiji era educational reforms and how the definition of a 'student' has shifted with the rise of lifelong learning ('shougai gakushuu'). You will encounter the word in literature and academic papers where it might be used to symbolize youth, potential, or social unrest. You should be able to use the term in high-level debates about education policy, student debt, and the 'gakureki shakai' (society obsessed with academic credentials). Your usage should be indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the subtle use of honorifics when referring to the students of a prestigious professor.

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At the C2 level, '学生' (gakusei) is a tool for nuanced socio-political analysis. You can critique the 'gakusei' identity in modern Japan, exploring themes like 'moratorium' (the period where students delay adult responsibilities) and the psychological pressure of being a 'gakusei' in a hyper-competitive environment. You are comfortable with archaic or highly specialized variations of the term found in classical literature or legal codes. You understand the semiotics of the 'student' in Japanese cinema and media, and you can use the word to construct complex metaphors about growth, institutionalization, and the transmission of knowledge across generations.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

学生 em 30 segundos

学生 (gakusei) means 'student' but is primarily used for university or college-level learners in Japan.
It is a core noun for self-introduction and defining your social status as a non-worker.
The word is vital for accessing student discounts (gakusei-waribiki) and identifying as an international student (ryuugakusei).
It differs from 'seito' (middle/high school) and 'jidou' (elementary school) based on the level of education.

The Japanese word 学生 (gakusei) is a cornerstone of Japanese social identity. While the English translation 'student' is broadly accurate, the Japanese term carries specific weight regarding one's stage in life and institutional affiliation. In the most literal sense, it refers to a person enrolled in an educational institution, but in the nuances of daily Japanese conversation, it most frequently points toward university or college students. When you introduce yourself as a gakusei, you are not just saying you study; you are defining your current social role, which in Japan dictates everything from the taxes you pay to the discounts you receive at the cinema.

Etymological Foundation: The word is composed of two kanji: 学 (gaku), meaning 'study' or 'learning', and 生 (sei), meaning 'life' or 'birth'. Together, they suggest a person whose 'life' is centered around 'learning'. Historically, this term was reserved for those pursuing higher scholarship, which explains its modern association with higher education rather than primary school.
Social Context: In Japan, being a student is a distinct phase of life before entering the 'shakaijin' (social person/working adult) world. It is a period of relative freedom. When someone asks 'Are you a student?', they are often trying to determine your age bracket and your availability for activities like part-time jobs (arubaito) or social gatherings.

私は東京大学の学生です。
(Watashi wa Toukyou Daigaku no gakusei desu.)
I am a student at the University of Tokyo.

One must be careful with the scope of this word. While an English speaker might call a 7-year-old a 'student', a Japanese speaker would more likely call them a jidou (child/pupil) or shougakusei (elementary student). Gakusei is the 'default' for those in higher education. This distinction is crucial for CEFR A1 learners to grasp early on to avoid sounding overly formal or slightly unnatural when describing children.

彼はまだ学生なので、お金がありません。
(Kare wa mada gakusei na node, okane ga arimasen.)
Since he is still a student, he doesn't have money.

The 'Gakusei' Identity: The term appears in various official documents. A gakusei-shou is a student ID card, which is the 'holy grail' for discounts in Japan. From rail passes (teikiken) to museum entries, being a gakusei provides significant economic benefits, reinforcing the idea that students are a protected class of learners who have not yet entered the full economic responsibility of adulthood.

日本の学生は制服を着ます。
(Nihon no gakusei wa seifuku o kimasu.)
Japanese students wear uniforms.

Furthermore, the word is used in compound nouns like ryuugakusei (international student), which is a common way for foreigners in Japan to identify themselves. Understanding gakusei is the first step in understanding the hierarchical and institutional nature of Japanese society, where your 'belonging' to a group (like a school) is often more important than your individual field of study in initial introductions.

Using 学生 (gakusei) in a sentence is grammatically straightforward because it functions as a standard noun. However, the particles you pair it with change its role from a simple subject to a descriptive attribute. For A1 and A2 learners, the most common pattern is 'Noun wa gakusei desu' (Noun is a student). As you progress, you will use it to describe origins, purposes, and durations of study.

Basic Identification: To state your status: 'Watashi wa gakusei desu.' To ask someone else: 'Anata wa gakusei desu ka?' Note that in Japan, it is often more polite to use the person's name instead of 'anata'. For example, 'Tanaka-san wa gakusei desu ka?'
Specifying the Institution: Use the particle 'no' to link the school to the student: '[School Name] no gakusei'. This is the standard way to say 'a student of [School]'. Example: 'Kyoto Daigaku no gakusei' (A student of Kyoto University).

彼女は医者の学生ではありません。医者です。
(Kanojo wa isha no gakusei dewa arimasen. Isha desu.)
She is not a medical student. She is a doctor.

When describing the type of student, Japanese often uses prefixes. A 'ryuugakusei' (exchange/international student) is a very common term. You might say, 'Watashi wa ryuugakusei to shite Nihon ni kimashita' (I came to Japan as an international student). Here, 'to shite' serves as 'as' or 'in the capacity of', which is a more advanced (N3/N2) grammar point but very useful.

大学の学生たちが公園で掃除をしています。
(Daigaku no gakusei-tachi ga kouen de souji o shite imasu.)
The university students are cleaning the park.

Pluralization: While Japanese nouns don't usually change for plural, you can add '-tachi' to 'gakusei' to emphasize a group of students: 'gakusei-tachi'. This is common when the students are the active subject of a sentence, as seen in the example above.

In more formal or written contexts, you might see 'gakusei' modified by adjectives like 'yuushuuna' (excellent) or 'kinben-na' (diligent). For example, 'Yuushuuna gakusei ni shougakukin o ataeru' (Give scholarships to excellent students). This demonstrates how 'gakusei' acts as the core noun in educational discourse, moving from simple self-introduction to complex social discussions.

You will encounter 学生 (gakusei) in a wide variety of real-world scenarios in Japan, ranging from administrative interactions to casual conversations. It is one of the most 'audible' words in urban areas with high concentrations of universities like Kyoto or Tokyo's Shinjuku and Shibuya districts.

At the Train Station: One of the first places you'll hear this is at the ticket office (Midori no Madoguchi). Staff might ask, 'Gakusei-waribiki o tsukaimasu ka?' (Will you use the student discount?). You will need to show your 'gakusei-shou' (student ID) to prove your status. This is a vital interaction for anyone studying in Japan.
In Restaurants and Izakayas: Waitstaff often use the term to identify groups. 'Gakusei-san, go-chuumon wa?' (Students, what is your order?). The addition of '-san' makes it polite and serves as a collective vocative. You might also see 'gakusei gentei' (student only) menus which offer larger portions for lower prices.

この店は学生に人気があります。
(Kono mise wa gakusei ni ninki ga arimasu.)
This shop is popular with students.

In the workplace, older colleagues might refer to their time as students using the phrase 'gakusei jidai' (student days). This is a nostalgic term used during 'nomikai' (drinking parties) to talk about the past. 'Gakusei jidai, yoku koko ni kimashita' (I used to come here often during my student days).

学生証を見せてください。
(Gakuseishou o misete kudasai.)
Please show your student ID.

News and Media: In news reports about employment, you'll hear about 'shuushoku katsudou' (job hunting) among 'daigakusei' (university students). The term 'gakusei' is used to discuss demographic trends, such as the decreasing number of students due to the low birth rate.

Finally, in anime, the 'transfer student' or 'tenkou-gakusei' is a massive trope. Characters will often shout 'Gakusei nanoni!' (Even though you're a student!) when someone does something unexpectedly mature or powerful. This highlights the cultural expectation of how a student should behave—focused on learning and youth, not necessarily on the complexities of the adult world.

While 学生 (gakusei) seems simple, English speakers often fall into several traps due to the differences in how educational roles are categorized in Japan. The most common error is using 'gakusei' for everyone who is learning something.

Mistake 1: Using 'Gakusei' for Young Children: In English, a 1st grader is a student. In Japanese, they are a 'shougakusei' or '児童 (jidou)'. Calling a small child a 'gakusei' sounds like you think they are a university student, which can be confusing or sound like a joke. Always use the specific level: Shougakusei (Elementary), Chuugakusei (Middle), Koukou-sei (High School).
Mistake 2: Confusing 'Gakusei' with 'Seito': 'Seito' is used for middle and high schoolers. 'Gakusei' is for university and above. If you are a high school student, calling yourself a 'gakusei' is technically understandable but 'koukou-sei' is much more natural and precise.

❌ 私は日本語の生徒です。
(Watashi wa Nihongo no seito desu.)
I am a Japanese pupil. (Sounds like a child in school)
✅ 私は日本語を勉強しています。
(Watashi wa Nihongo o benkyou shite imasu.)
I am studying Japanese.

Another mistake is using 'gakusei' to describe a hobbyist learner. If you are 40 years old and taking a weekend pottery class, you are not a 'gakusei' in the social sense. You are a 'seito' (pupil of a teacher) or simply someone who is 'narau' (learning). Using 'gakusei' implies you are part of a full-time academic degree program.

❌ 彼は小学生の学生です。
(Kare wa shougakusei no gakusei desu.)
He is an elementary student student. (Redundant and incorrect)
✅ 彼は小学生です。
(Kare wa shougakusei desu.)
He is an elementary student.

Mistake 3: Forgetting the 'Na' with 'Node': Because 'gakusei' is a noun, you must use 'gakusei na node' or 'gakusei dakara' when giving a reason. Saying 'Gakusei node' is a common grammatical slip for beginners.

Lastly, be aware of the 'honorific' trap. You rarely use '-san' for yourself. Say 'Watashi wa gakusei desu', not 'Watashi wa gakusei-san desu'. However, you should use '-san' when referring to others: 'Gakusei-san-tachi' (the students).

To truly master the concept of a 'learner' in Japanese, you need to know the alternatives to 学生 (gakusei). Each word defines a different relationship between the learner, the institution, and the teacher.

生徒 (Seito): This refers to pupils in middle school (chuugakkou) and high school (koukou). It implies a more supervised form of learning compared to the independence of a 'gakusei'. It is also used for students in private cram schools (juku) or hobby classes.
児童 (Jidou): This is the legal and formal term for children in elementary school. You will see this in news reports and official documents. In casual speech, parents might just say 'shougakusei'.
学習者 (Gakushuusha): A more academic or technical term for 'learner'. It is often used in the context of 'Nihongo gakushuusha' (Japanese language learners). It describes the act of learning regardless of age or institution.

大学の学生 vs 塾の生徒
(Daigaku no gakusei vs Juku no seito)
University student vs. Cram school pupil.

There are also specific terms for those who have finished school but are still in a 'student-like' state. A 浪人生 (rounin-sei) is a student who failed university entrance exams and is studying for another year. A 研究生 (kenkyuu-sei) is a research student, often a non-degree seeker who is preparing for a Master's or PhD program.

彼は大学生ですが、夜はピアノの生徒です。
(Kare wa daigakusei desu ga, yoru wa piano no seito desu.)
He is a university student, but at night he is a piano pupil.

門下生 (Monkashou): A very formal, traditional term for a 'disciple' or 'student under a master', often used in martial arts or traditional tea ceremonies. This is much more specific than 'gakusei'.

Understanding these distinctions helps you navigate Japanese social circles. If you call yourself a 'seito' at a university, people will think you are very humble or perhaps confused about your status. Conversely, calling yourself a 'gakusei' at a local community center flower-arranging class might sound a bit too grand. Choose the word that matches the institution.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

In the Edo period, students of Dutch learning were called 'Rangakusei'. The word 'gakusei' became much more standardized during the Meiji Restoration when Japan modernized its school system based on Western models.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ɡækˈseɪ/

US /ɡækˈseɪ/

The stress is relatively even, but there is a slight high-low pitch pattern: ga-KU-sei.

Rima com

Kaisei Taisei Meisei Heisei Keisei Reisei Teisei Shinsei

Erros comuns

Pronouncing 'sei' as 'see'. It should be 'say'.
Over-emphasizing the 'u' in 'gaku'. In natural speech, the 'u' is often unvoiced (gak-sei).
Mixing up the long vowel in 'sei'. It is 'se-i', not a short 'se'.
Confusing the pitch accent with 'gakusei' (student) vs 'gakusei' (school system - different kanji and pitch).
Pronouncing 'g' as 'j'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 1/5

Kanji is basic and taught early. Very easy to recognize.

Escrita 2/5

The kanji 'gaku' has many strokes, but it is practiced frequently.

Expressão oral 1/5

Pronunciation is simple and common.

Audição 1/5

Clear sound, often heard in introductions.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

私 (I) です (Is) 学校 (School) 勉強 (Study) 人 (Person)

Aprenda a seguir

先生 (Teacher) 会社員 (Office worker) 大学 (University) 教室 (Classroom) 試験 (Exam)

Avançado

奨学金 (Scholarship) 単位 (Credit) 卒業論文 (Thesis) 就職活動 (Job hunting) 講義 (Lecture)

Gramática essencial

Noun + desu

私は学生です。

Noun + no + Noun

大学の学生。

Noun + na node

学生なので、安いです。

Noun + to shite

学生として来ました。

Noun + tachi

学生たちが来ました。

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Exemplos por nível

私は学生です。

I am a student.

Subject (Watashi) + Particle (wa) + Noun (gakusei) + Copula (desu).

田中さんは学生ですか。

Is Mr. Tanaka a student?

Adding 'ka' at the end turns the statement into a question.

学生ではありません。

I am not a student.

'Dewa arimasen' is the formal negative of 'desu'.

彼は大学生です。

He is a university student.

Adding 'dai' (big) to 'gakusei' specifies university level.

あの人は学生です。

That person over there is a student.

'Ano hito' means 'that person'.

学生の鞄です。

It is a student's bag.

Particle 'no' shows possession.

私は日本語の学生です。

I am a student of Japanese.

Using 'no' to define the field of study.

学生はどこですか。

Where is the student?

'Doko' is the question word for location.

私は学生なので、安いです。

Since I am a student, it is cheap.

Use 'na node' for 'because' with nouns.

学生たちが教室にいます。

The students are in the classroom.

'-tachi' makes the noun plural.

日本には留学生がたくさんいます。

There are many international students in Japan.

'Ryuugakusei' means international student.

学生証を忘れました。

I forgot my student ID.

'Gakuseishou' is a compound noun.

彼はいい学生ですね。

He is a good student, isn't he?

'Ne' at the end seeks agreement.

学生の時に、京都に行きました。

When I was a student, I went to Kyoto.

'Noun + no toki' means 'at the time of'.

まだ学生ですか、それとも仕事がありますか。

Are you still a student, or do you have a job?

'Soretomo' means 'or'.

学生割引が使えますか。

Can I use the student discount?

'Gakusei-waribiki' is the term for student discount.

学生として日本に来てから、三年が経ちました。

Three years have passed since I came to Japan as a student.

'Noun + to shite' means 'as a [role]'.

学生時代は、毎日図書館で勉強したものです。

In my student days, I used to study in the library every day.

'~ta mono da' indicates a nostalgic past habit.

将来、海外の大学で学生になりたいです。

In the future, I want to become a student at an overseas university.

'Noun + ni naru' means 'to become'.

学生の身分では、そんなに高いものは買えません。

With the status of a student, I can't buy such expensive things.

'Mibun' refers to social status.

多くの学生がアルバイトをしています。

Many students are doing part-time jobs.

'Arubaito' is the common term for part-time work.

学生寮はとても賑やかです。

The student dormitory is very lively.

'Gakusei-ryou' means student dorm.

あの学生は、いつも一番前に座っています。

That student always sits in the very front row.

'Ichiban mae' means very front.

学生のうちに、色々な経験をしたいです。

While I am still a student, I want to have various experiences.

'Noun + no uchi ni' means 'while still in the state of'.

最近の学生は、スマホを使いすぎる傾向がある。

Recent students tend to use smartphones too much.

'Keikou ga aru' means 'to have a tendency'.

学生会館で新しいサークルの勧誘が行われている。

Club recruitment is being held at the student union building.

'Kanyuu' means solicitation or recruitment.

経済的な理由で、学生生活を続けるのが困難になった。

Due to economic reasons, it became difficult to continue student life.

'Konnan' means difficult or hard.

奨学金制度は、意欲のある学生を支援するためにある。

The scholarship system exists to support motivated students.

'Shien' means support.

この論文は、学生の視点から書かれている。

This paper is written from the perspective of a student.

'Shiten' means viewpoint or perspective.

学生の間で、そのアプリが急速に広まった。

The app spread rapidly among students.

'Noun + no aida de' means 'among [a group]'.

卒業しても、いつまでも学生の気持ちを忘れないでください。

Even after you graduate, please never forget the spirit of a student.

'Kimochi' refers to feeling or spirit.

学生運動の歴史について詳しく調べた。

I investigated the history of student movements in detail.

'Un-dou' in this context means movement/activism.

学生気質という言葉があるように、彼らは自由を愛している。

As the term 'student temperament' suggests, they love freedom.

'Kishitsu' refers to temperament or disposition.

大学側は、学生の多様性を確保するための新方針を打ち出した。

The university has announced a new policy to ensure student diversity.

'Tayousei' means diversity.

学生の自主性を重んじる教育方針が、この学校の特徴です。

An educational policy that values student autonomy is a characteristic of this school.

'Jishusei' means autonomy or initiative.

彼は学生の身分を隠して、潜入取材を試みた。

He hid his student status and attempted undercover reporting.

'Sennyuu' means infiltration.

優秀な学生を海外へ派遣するプログラムが中止された。

The program to dispatch excellent students abroad has been cancelled.

'Haken' means to dispatch.

学生の本文は学問に励むことである。

The primary duty of a student is to strive in their studies.

'Honbun' means primary duty or true purpose.

就職氷河期には、多くの学生が苦境に立たされた。

During the employment ice age, many students were placed in a difficult situation.

'Kukyou' means a predicament or difficult situation.

学生を対象とした意識調査の結果が公表された。

The results of an opinion survey targeting students were made public.

'Taishou' means target or object of study.

学生というモラトリアムの期間をいかに過ごすかが、その後の人生を左右する。

How one spends the moratorium period known as being a student determines their subsequent life.

'Sayuu suru' means to influence or determine.

近代日本における「学生」の概念の変遷を考察する。

We will consider the transition of the concept of 'student' in modern Japan.

'Hensen' means transition or change over time.

学生の政治的無関心が、民主主義の空洞化を招いているという指摘がある。

There are points made that student political apathy is leading to the hollowing out of democracy.

'Kuudou-ka' means hollowing out.

かつての学生街の面影は、都市再開発によって消えつつある。

The vestiges of the former student quarters are disappearing due to urban redevelopment.

'Omokage' means vestiges or traces.

学生の本文を逸脱した行為は、厳正に対処されるべきだ。

Actions that deviate from the primary duty of a student should be dealt with strictly.

'Itsudatsu' means deviation.

知識の受容者としての学生から、探究者としての学生への転換が求められている。

A shift is required from students as receivers of knowledge to students as seekers of knowledge.

'Juyousha' (receiver) vs 'Tankyuusha' (seeker).

学生のメンタルヘルスケアの充実は、現代の教育機関における急務である。

The enhancement of student mental health care is an urgent task for modern educational institutions.

'Kyuumu' means urgent task.

学問の自由を享受できるのは、学生という特権的な地位にあるからこそだ。

It is precisely because of the privileged status of being a student that one can enjoy academic freedom.

'Koso' is an emphatic particle.

Sinônimos

生徒門下生受講生学び手学徒

Antônimos

先生教師社会人

Colocações comuns

学生証

学生割引

学生時代

学生生活

留学生

大学生

学生寮

学生ローン

学生運動

学生気分

Frases Comuns

学生の本文

— The primary duty or essence of being a student.

学生の本文は勉強だ。

現役の学生

— A currently enrolled student (not a graduate or rounin).

彼は現役の学生です。

学生の窓口

— The student affairs window or desk at a school.

学生の窓口で聞いてください。

学生募集

— Student recruitment (for schools).

新しい学生を募集しています。

学生上がり

— A fresh graduate who still acts like a student.

彼はまだ学生上がりで、仕事に慣れていない。

学生結婚

— Getting married while still being students.

彼らは学生結婚をした。

学生街

— A student town or neighborhood surrounding a university.

ここは学生街なので、安い店が多い。

学生服

— Student uniform (specifically the traditional black style).

弟が学生服を着るようになった。

通信制の学生

— A student in a correspondence or online program.

通信制の学生として学んでいる。

社会人学生

— A working adult who has returned to school to study.

最近、社会人学生が増えている。

Frequentemente confundido com

学生 vs 生徒 (Seito)

Used for K-12, while gakusei is for university.

学生 vs 学校 (Gakkou)

Gakkou is the place (school), gakusei is the person (student).

学生 vs 学習 (Gakushuu)

Gakushuu is the act of learning, gakusei is the status.

Expressões idiomáticas

"学生気分が抜けない"

— To still have the mindset of a student; to lack professional seriousness.

入社一年目だが、まだ学生気分が抜けていない。

Common

"学生の本文を忘れる"

— To forget one's primary duty as a student (by playing too much).

遊びすぎて学生の本文を忘れてはいけない。

Formal

"学は以て已むべからず"

— Learning should never stop (one should always be a student).

学は以て已むべからずという言葉を座右の銘にしている。

Literary

"青は藍より出でて藍より青し"

— The student has surpassed the master.

彼は青は藍より出でて藍より青しを体現した。

Literary

"門前の小僧習わぬ経を読む"

— An apprentice near a temple will recite sutras without being taught (learning by environment).

門前の小僧習わぬ経を読むで、彼は自然に英語を覚えた。

Common

"学びて思わざれば則ち罔し"

— Learning without thought is labor lost.

学びて思わざれば則ち罔し、ただ学生でいるだけではいけない。

Literary

"三人行けば必ず我が師あり"

— When three people walk together, one must be my teacher (everyone can be a student of another).

三人行けば必ず我が師ありの精神で、学生として学び続ける。

Literary

"蛍の光、窓の雪"

— Studying hard by the light of fireflies or snow (symbol of diligent students).

蛍の光、窓の雪で、学生時代は苦労した。

Literary

"鉄は熱いうちに打て"

— Strike the iron while it's hot (students should learn while young).

鉄は熱いうちに打て、学生のうちに海外へ行くべきだ。

Common

"一暴十寒"

— Working hard for one day and then resting for ten (a warning for inconsistent students).

一暴十寒では、学生として成功しない。

Literary

Fácil de confundir

学生 vs 生徒

Both mean student.

Seito is for middle/high school. Gakusei is for university.

高校生は生徒ですが、大学生は学生です。

学生 vs 児童

Both refer to learners.

Jidou is specifically for elementary children.

小学生は児童と呼ばれます。

学生 vs 学習者

Both describe someone who learns.

Gakushuusha is a functional term (learner), Gakusei is a social status.

日本語学習者は世界中にいます。

学生 vs 院生

Both are students in higher ed.

Insei is specifically for graduate students (Masters/PhD).

彼は大学生ではなく、院生です。

学生 vs 研究生

Both are students.

Kenkyuusei is a non-degree research student.

彼は研究生として大学にいます。

Padrões de frases

[Name] wa gakusei desu.

田中さんは学生です。

[School] no gakusei desu.

東京大学の学生です。

Gakusei no toki ni [Action].

学生の時に旅行しました。

Gakusei to shite [Action].

学生として参加しました。

Gakusei no honbun wa [Noun] da.

学生の本文は学問だ。

Gakusei mibun o riyou shite [Action].

学生身分を利用して調査した。

Gakusei dewa arimasen.

私は学生ではありません。

Gakusei na node [Reason].

学生なのでお金がない。

Família de palavras

Substantivos

大学 (University)

学校 (School)

学習 (Learning)

学問 (Scholarship)

学年 (School year)

Verbos

学ぶ (To learn)

学習する (To study)

就学する (To enter school)

Adjetivos

学術的な (Academic)

学問的な (Scholarly)

Relacionado

先生 (Teacher)

校舎 (School building)

試験 (Exam)

卒業 (Graduation)

入学 (Entrance)

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Como usar

frequency

Extremely high in educational and social contexts.

Erros comuns

Using 'gakusei' for a small child. → Shougakusei (Elementary student).
Gakusei alone usually implies university level.
Saying 'Watashi wa gakusei-san desu'. → Watashi wa gakusei desu.
Do not use honorifics like '-san' for yourself.
Saying 'Gakusei node...' → Gakusei na no de...
Nouns require 'na' before 'node'.
Confusing 'gakusei' with 'gakkou'. → Gakusei (Person), Gakkou (Place).
Gakkou is the institution, Gakusei is the individual.
Using 'gakusei' for a hobby learner. → Seito (Pupil).
Gakusei implies a formal academic degree path.

Dicas

Using with 'no'

Always use 'no' to connect your school to 'gakusei'. For example, 'Harvard no gakusei' (A Harvard student).

Social Status

Being a 'gakusei' is a respected social status in Japan that comes with many perks and a specific set of expectations.

Specific Levels

Learn the prefixes: Shou- (Elementary), Chuu- (Middle), Kou- (High), Dai- (University) to be more precise.

The 'u' sound

In the word 'gaku', the 'u' is very soft. Focus on the 'gak' sound to sound more like a native speaker.

Kanji Stroke Order

Make sure to follow the correct stroke order for 学, as it helps in making the character look balanced.

Discount keywords

Listen for 'waribiki' (discount) whenever you are at a counter; it usually follows 'gakusei'.

Self-introduction

When introducing yourself, saying your major + 'no gakusei' is a great way to start a conversation.

ID Cards

The 'gakusei-shou' is your most important document as a student in Japan. Keep it with you always.

Life of Study

Remember: Study (Gaku) + Life (Sei). A student's life is study.

Gakusei vs Seito

Remember the age gap. Gakusei = College. Seito = Secondary school.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of a 'GAKU' (Goggles-Wearing-Kid) and 'SEI' (Saying) 'I am a student!'. The 'Gaku' is learning, and 'Sei' is his life.

Associação visual

Imagine a student carrying a heavy 'Gaku' (backpack) with a 'Sei' (sign) that says 'I am learning!'.

Word Web

School Books Library Teacher Exams Degree University Backpack

Desafio

Try to use 'gakusei' in a sentence that explains why you are doing something today (e.g., 'I am studying because I am a student').

Origem da palavra

Borrowed from Middle Chinese 'hauk' (study) and 'sheng' (person/life). It entered Japanese as part of the massive influx of Chinese vocabulary during the early centuries of cultural contact.

Significado original: A person who is born to study or one who studies for life.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Contexto cultural

Be careful not to call a working professional a 'gakusei' unless they are actually enrolled in a degree program, as it might imply they are immature.

In English, 'student' is used for everyone from pre-K to PhD. In Japanese, you must specify the level or use 'gakusei' mostly for university.

Gakusei no Honbun (Moral teaching) I am a Cat (Soseki Natsume - mentions students) Norwegian Wood (Haruki Murakami - focuses on student life)

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Self-introduction

はじめまして、学生です。
大学で勉強しています。
留学生です。
二十歳の学生です。

Shopping/Travel

学生割引はありますか。
学生証を持っています。
学生料金でお願いします。
学生ですかと聞かれました。

University Life

学生寮に住んでいます。
学生課はどこですか。
学生食堂で食べます。
学生証を失くしました。

Work/Part-time

学生のアルバイトです。
学生時代に働きました。
学生なので、夜だけ働けます。
学生を募集しています。

Talking about the past

学生の時は若かったです。
学生時代の友達です。
学生に戻りたいです。
学生だった頃の話です。

Iniciadores de conversa

"あなたはどこの大学の学生ですか？ (Which university are you a student of?)"

"学生生活はどうですか？楽しいですか？ (How is your student life? Is it fun?)"

"学生時代、一番好きだった科目は何ですか？ (What was your favorite subject during your student days?)"

"いつか日本で学生になりたいですか？ (Do you want to be a student in Japan someday?)"

"学生割引を使って、どこかに行きましたか？ (Did you go somewhere using a student discount?)"

Temas para diário

あなたが学生だった時のことを書いてください。 (Write about the time when you were a student.)

理想の学生生活について説明してください。 (Describe your ideal student life.)

学生として一番大変なことは何だと思いますか？ (What do you think is the hardest thing about being a student?)

留学生として日本に来たら、何をしてみたいですか？ (If you came to Japan as an international student, what would you like to do?)

「学生の本文は勉強だ」という意見に賛成ですか？ (Do you agree with the opinion that 'a student's primary duty is to study'?)

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No, that would be unnatural. Use 'youchien-ji' for kindergarteners or just 'kodomo' (child). 'Gakusei' implies a much older level of education.

'Gakusei' is the general term for student (often implying university), while 'daigakusei' explicitly means 'university student'. In daily talk, they are often used interchangeably for college students.

Yes, it is a neutral and polite noun. When addressing a group of students, adding '-san' (Gakusei-san) is very common and polite.

You can say 'Gogaku gakkou no gakusei desu' or 'Nihongo gakkou no gakusei desu'.

Yes! 'Gakusei-waribiki' is very common for trains, movies, museums, and even some restaurants. Always carry your 'gakusei-shou'.

It's better to say 'Watashi wa [Subject] o naratte imasu' (I am learning [Subject]). Calling yourself a 'gakusei' might imply you are a full-time university student.

It is an international student or exchange student. 'Ryuu' means to stay/remain, so it's someone staying abroad to study.

It is written as 学生. The first character means study, the second means life.

Japanese doesn't usually use plurals, but you can say 'gakusei-tachi' to mean 'the students' as a group.

It means 'one's student days' or the period of time when one was a student. It's a very common nostalgic phrase.

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