Translation guide
In Japanese, the term for graduate school is 大学院 (daigakuin). This entry explains how to talk about graduate school, including common expressions for attending, applying, and studying at the graduate level.
大学院
graduate school
Referring to the institution or concept of graduate school in general.
The standard term for graduate school. Can refer to both master's and doctoral programs.
彼は大学院に進学した。
He went on to graduate school.
大学院で物理学を専攻しています。
I'm majoring in physics in graduate school.
Short for 大学院, used in casual conversation or compound words.
院に行くかどうか迷っている。
I'm not sure whether to go to grad school.
Referring to a person who is a graduate student.
Specifically referring to a master's course or degree.
Master's program. Often used when distinguishing from doctoral programs.
修士課程を修了しました。
I completed a master's program.
Master's degree (the qualification itself).
彼は工学の修士号を持っている。
He has a master's degree in engineering.
Specifically referring to a doctoral course or degree.
Doctoral program. Often divided into 前期 (first half) and 後期 (second half).
博士課程に在籍しています。
I'm enrolled in a doctoral program.
Doctoral degree (Ph.D.).
Expressing the action of entering or advancing to graduate school.
To go on to graduate school (from undergraduate).
卒業後、大学院に進学するつもりです。
After graduation, I plan to go to graduate school.
To enter graduate school (more casual).
大学院に入るのは難しいですか？
Is it hard to get into graduate school?
Expressing the process of applying to a graduate program.
To apply to graduate school (formal).
来月、大学院に出願します。
I will apply to graduate school next month.
To take the entrance exam for graduate school.
彼は東大の大学院を受験した。
He took the entrance exam for the University of Tokyo graduate school.
Talking about daily life, research, or activities in graduate school.
To do research in graduate school.
大学院で再生可能エネルギーについて研究しています。
I'm researching renewable energy in graduate school.
Graduate school life.
大学院生活は忙しいけど楽しい。
Graduate school life is busy but fun.
大学 (daigaku) means university or college (undergraduate). 大学院 specifically refers to graduate school. Do not confuse them.
大学を卒業して、大学院に進学した。
I graduated from university and went on to graduate school.
In casual speech, 院 (in) is often used as shorthand for 大学院. For example, 院に行く (in ni iku) means 'to go to grad school'. However, in formal writing or speech, use the full term 大学院.
彼女は院生で、研究に忙しい。
She's a grad student and busy with research.
博士号を取得するのは大変だ。
Getting a Ph.D. is tough.