Translation guide
In Japanese, the term for 'high school' depends on context. The most common word is 高校 (こうこう), which is the everyday term. 高等学校 (こうとうがっこう) is the formal, official name. When referring to one's own school or in casual speech, 高校 is used. There are also abbreviations and related terms for school life.
The learner wants to refer to a high school in general, or say they are a high school student.
The standard, everyday word for 'high school'. Used in most contexts.
私は高校生です。
I am a high school student.
この町には高校が三つあります。
There are three high schools in this town.
The formal, official name for 'high school'. Used in school names, official documents, and formal speech.
東京都立青山高等学校
Tokyo Metropolitan Aoyama High School
The learner wants to talk about their own high school experience, or ask someone about theirs.
Used when talking about one's own high school days or asking about someone else's.
高校の時、野球部に入っていました。
I was in the baseball club in high school.
どこの高校に行ってたの？
Which high school did you go to?
Means 'high school days' or 'high school years'. Used to refer to that period of life.
高校時代の友達と今でも会います。
I still meet friends from my high school days.
The learner wants to understand casual or abbreviated terms related to high school.
Slang abbreviation for 女子高生 (じょしこうせい), meaning 'female high school student'. Used in casual contexts, often online or in pop culture.
Can have sexual connotations in certain contexts; use with care.
JKの間で流行っている。
It's popular among high school girls.
Slang abbreviation for 男子高校生 (だんしこうこうせい), meaning 'male high school student'. Less common than JK.
あのDKたち、うるさいね。
Those high school boys are noisy.