Translation guide
The English word 'campus' refers to the grounds and buildings of a university or school. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is キャンパス, but other terms like 構内 and 学内 are used in specific contexts. This guide explains how to express 'campus' naturally depending on the situation.
Referring to the physical area of a university or college, including its buildings and open spaces.
The most common and direct translation. Used in everyday conversation and writing. It can refer to the entire university grounds or a specific campus of a multi-campus university.
この大学のキャンパスはとても広い。
This university's campus is very large.
キャンパス内にカフェがいくつかあります。
There are several cafes on campus.
Means 'premises' or 'grounds'. Often used in formal or official contexts, such as signs, announcements, and written rules. It can refer to any institution's grounds, not just universities.
大学構内は禁煙です。
Smoking is prohibited on the university campus.
構内への車の乗り入れは禁止されています。
Vehicles are not allowed on the campus grounds.
Means 'within the school/university'. Emphasizes the inside of the institution, often used in contexts like 'on-campus job' or 'on-campus event'. More about the institutional space than the physical grounds.
学内のアルバイトを探しています。
I'm looking for an on-campus part-time job.
学内イベントに参加する。
Participate in an on-campus event.
Describing location or activities as being on or off the university grounds.
Means 'on campus' or 'within the campus'. Used for locations and activities happening inside the campus area.
キャンパス内に住んでいます。
I live on campus.
Means 'off campus' or 'outside the campus'. Used for locations and activities happening outside the campus area.
キャンパスの外でランチを食べましょう。
Let's have lunch off campus.
Means 'off-campus' or 'outside the school'. Often used in formal contexts, such as 'off-campus activities' or 'off-campus study'.
Referring to the lifestyle, activities, or facilities associated with university life.
A common wasei-eigo term meaning 'campus life'. Used to talk about the overall experience of being a university student.
キャンパスライフを楽しんでいます。
I'm enjoying campus life.
Means 'student life'. A broader term that includes life both on and off campus, but often used interchangeably with 'campus life'.
充実した学生生活を送りたい。
I want to have a fulfilling campus life.
Referring to a specific campus of a university that has multiple locations.
Used with a modifier to specify which campus, e.g., メインキャンパス (main campus), サテライトキャンパス (satellite campus).
この大学には三つのキャンパスがあります。
This university has three campuses.
サテライトキャンパスは駅の近くにあります。
The satellite campus is near the station.
キャンパス is the general term for the physical university grounds. 構内 is more formal and often used in official notices (e.g., 構内禁煙). 学内 emphasizes 'within the school' as an institution, often for activities or jobs (e.g., 学内アルバイト).
キャンパスがきれいですね。
The campus is beautiful, isn't it?
構内に駐車しないでください。
Please do not park on the campus grounds.
学内のサークルに入る。
Join an on-campus club.
キャンパス specifically refers to university or college campuses. For school grounds of elementary, junior high, or high schools, use 校庭 (こうてい, schoolyard) or 学校の敷地 (がっこうのしきち, school premises).
キャンパスを歩き回った。
I walked around the campus.
休暇中はキャンパスが閉まっています。
The campus is closed during the holidays.
キャンパスに新しい建物ができました。
There's a new building on campus.
We focus on off-campus activities.