Translation guide
A private school that prepares students for exams, often attended after regular school hours. In Japan, these are called 塾 (juku) or 予備校 (yobikō), and they are a common part of the education system.
A private institution where students go after school or on weekends to study for entrance exams or improve grades.
The most common word for a cram school, especially for elementary to high school students. It can refer to both academic and non-academic (e.g., calligraphy, abacus) private tutoring schools.
毎日塾に行っています。
I go to cram school every day.
あの塾は合格率が高いです。
That cram school has a high pass rate.
Literally 'study cram school'. A more formal term, often used in official contexts or to distinguish from hobby-based 塾.
学習塾に通う生徒が増えています。
The number of students attending cram schools is increasing.
A cram school specifically focused on preparing students for entrance exams to higher-level schools (e.g., high school or university).
彼は有名な進学塾に通っています。
He attends a well-known exam-prep cram school.
A specialized school for high school graduates (rōnin) preparing for university entrance exams, often full-time.
A preparatory school mainly for high school graduates who are studying to retake university entrance exams. These are often large, lecture-style schools.
浪人して予備校に通っています。
I'm taking a gap year and going to a prep school.
大手予備校で講座を取っています。
I'm taking courses at a major prep school.
Describing the Japanese cram school system to someone unfamiliar with it.
Since 'cram school' is a direct translation, it's often best to use the Japanese term and add a short explanation. For example, '塾, which is like a private tutoring school after regular school.'
日本の塾は、学校の後に通う補習塾のようなものです。
Japanese 'juku' are like supplementary schools you attend after regular school.
塾 (juku) is a broad term for private tutoring schools, often for elementary to high school students. 予備校 (yobikō) specifically refers to preparatory schools for university entrance exams, typically attended by high school graduates. 塾 can be after-school or on weekends, while 予備校 often has full-time courses.
Cram schools are extremely common in Japan. Many students attend them to keep up with schoolwork or to prepare for entrance exams. It's not unusual for students to attend several times a week, and some even go on weekends.