Translation guide
How to express 'graduate' in Japanese depends on whether you are talking about finishing school, a person who has finished school, or moving to the next stage. The most common word is 卒業する (sotsugyō suru) for the act of graduating.
大学を卒業しました。
I graduated from university.
彼は卒業生です。
He is a graduate.
Expressing the action of finishing school or a program
The standard verb for graduating from a school or course. Used with を to mark the institution.
来年大学を卒業します。
I will graduate from university next year.
He just graduated from high school.
The noun form 'graduation'. Often used in compounds like 卒業式 (graduation ceremony).
卒業おめでとう！
Congratulations on your graduation!
卒業式は三月に行われます。
The graduation ceremony is held in March.
A more casual way to say 'graduate from', literally 'to leave (school)'. Used with を.
去年高校を出ました。
I graduated from high school last year.
Used for completing a specific course or program, not necessarily a full degree. Often seen on certificates.
日本語コースを修了しました。
I completed the Japanese language course.
Referring to someone who has graduated
General term for a graduate or alumnus. Can refer to recent graduates or alumni in general.
彼は東京大学の卒業生です。
He is a graduate of the University of Tokyo.
Abbreviation for 大学卒業 (university graduate). Commonly used in contexts like job hunting.
Specifically a holder of a bachelor's degree. Used in formal or academic contexts.
Expressing advancement beyond a current state, not just school
Also used metaphorically to mean moving on from a phase or habit. Often used with から.
そろそろゲームから卒業しよう。
It's about time I graduated from video games.
彼はもうそんな考え方から卒業した。
He has already moved on from that way of thinking.
Means 'to step up' or advance to the next stage. Not a direct translation but conveys the idea of progressing.
次のレベルにステップアップしよう。
Let's graduate to the next level.
卒業する means successfully completing a course. If you leave school without graduating, use 中退する (ちゅうたいする) or 辞める (やめる).
大学を中退しました。
I dropped out of university.
卒業する is the standard, neutral term. 出る is more casual and often used in conversation. Both take を, but 出る can sound abrupt in formal situations.
大卒の新入社員
new university graduate employee
He has a Bachelor of Arts degree.