Translation guide
The English term 'PhD' refers to a doctoral degree. In Japanese, it is commonly expressed as 博士号 (hakushigō) or simply 博士 (hakushi). This guide explains how to talk about having, earning, or pursuing a PhD in natural Japanese.
Referring to the academic qualification 'PhD' as a noun.
The standard term for a PhD degree. Use this when specifying the qualification.
Getting a PhD is tough.
Can mean both the degree and the person holding it. Often used in compound words or when the context is clear.
Alone, 博士 usually refers to the person (Dr.), not the degree. Use 博士号 to be unambiguous.
doctoral degree
Referring to someone who has earned a PhD, equivalent to 'Dr.'
Used as a title or to refer to a person with a doctorate. Can be attached to names (e.g., 田中博士).
Dr. Tanaka gave a lecture.
He is a Doctor of Engineering.
Talking about studying for or working toward a PhD.
Means 'enrolled in a doctoral program'. Natural way to say you are a PhD student.
I am currently enrolled in a PhD program.
Literally 'to take a PhD', meaning to earn or obtain a PhD. Common in casual conversation.
More formal version of 'to obtain a PhD'. Suitable for written or official contexts.
Specifying the discipline of the doctorate, e.g., PhD in Physics.
Prefix the field of study to 博士. E.g., 理学博士 (Doctor of Science), 文学博士 (Doctor of Literature).
She is a Doctor of Medicine (PhD in Medicine).
I earned a PhD in Science.
博士 (hakushi) primarily means a person with a doctorate or the title 'Dr.'. 博士号 (hakushigō) specifically means the degree itself. When saying 'I have a PhD', use 博士号を持っています, not 博士を持っています (which would mean 'I have a doctor').
In very casual conversation among students, 'PhD' might be referred to as ドクター (dokutā) from English 'doctor', or simply 博士 (hakushi). However, 博士号 is the clearest term for the degree.
She is doing a PhD in linguistics.
He got his PhD from the University of Tokyo.
He plans to get his PhD next year.
After obtaining his PhD, he became a researcher.