Translation guide
A public high school operated by a prefectural government in Japan. The most common term is 県立高校, but the exact name varies by prefecture type (県, 都, 道, 府).
To refer to a prefectural senior high school in general conversation or writing.
Standard abbreviation for 県立高等学校. Used for schools run by a 県 (prefecture). This is the most common pattern.
私は県立高校に通っています。
I attend a prefectural senior high school.
Full formal name. Used in official documents or formal contexts.
県立高等学校の入学試験は来月です。
The entrance exam for the prefectural senior high school is next month.
To refer to a prefectural senior high school in Tokyo, which uses 都 instead of 県.
Used for schools run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. 都 (と) is the suffix for Tokyo.
都立高校の倍率は高いです。
The competition rate for Tokyo metropolitan high schools is high.
Full formal name for Tokyo metropolitan high schools.
都立高等学校の一覧を見る。
Look at the list of Tokyo metropolitan senior high schools.
To refer to a prefectural senior high school in Osaka or Kyoto, which use 府.
Used for schools run by Osaka or Kyoto Prefecture. 府 (ふ) is the suffix for these urban prefectures.
府立高校の文化祭に行った。
I went to the culture festival at the prefectural high school (in Osaka/Kyoto).
Full formal name for Osaka/Kyoto prefectural high schools.
府立高等学校の説明会に参加する。
Attend an information session for the prefectural senior high school (in Osaka/Kyoto).
To refer to a prefectural senior high school in Hokkaido, which uses 道.
Used for schools run by Hokkaido Prefecture. 道 (どう) is the suffix for Hokkaido.
道立高校のスキー部は強い。
The ski club at the Hokkaido prefectural high school is strong.
Full formal name for Hokkaido prefectural high schools.
道立高等学校の入試問題を解く。
Solve the entrance exam questions for Hokkaido prefectural senior high schools.
To refer to a public high school without specifying the level of government (could be prefectural or municipal).
Means 'public high school' and can include both prefectural and municipal schools. Use when the distinction is not important.
公立高校の学費は私立より安い。
Tuition at public high schools is cheaper than at private ones.
In everyday speech, 高校 (こうこう) is used far more often than 高等学校 (こうとうがっこう). The full form is mainly for official names and documents.
Prefectural high schools (県立/都立/府立/道立) are run by the prefecture. Municipal high schools (市立, しりつ) are run by a city. Both are public (公立). If you're unsure, 公立高校 is a safe generic term.