Translation guide
In Japanese, referring to a schoolmate depends on the relationship and context. The most common and natural way is to use 同級生 (classmate) or 学校の友達 (school friend). Unlike English, Japanese often omits the subject, so you may not need to say 'schoolmate' explicitly. When you do, choose based on whether they are a classmate, a friend from school, or just someone you went to school with.
Referring to someone in the same class or grade at school.
The most common and neutral word for a classmate or someone in the same grade. It implies you share classes or are in the same year level.
He is my classmate.
I studied with a classmate.
A loanword from English, commonly used in casual conversation. It specifically means someone in the same class, not just the same grade.
I got a new classmate.
A more formal or literary term for classmate. Rarely used in everyday speech.
He is a classmate from high school.
Referring to a friend you know from school, regardless of class or grade.
The most natural way to say 'school friend'. It implies a friend you met at school, without specifying class or grade.
I hung out with a school friend.
She is a school friend from elementary school.
A formal term for school friend or fellow student. Often used in written contexts or alumni settings.
Referring to a person who attends or attended the same school, without implying friendship or same class.
In Japanese, you often don't need to explicitly say 'schoolmate' if the context makes it obvious.
If you are talking about school and mention a person, it's often clear they are a schoolmate. For example, 'I talked to someone at school' implies a schoolmate without needing a specific word.
I talked to a schoolmate. (lit. I talked at school.)
同級生 refers to someone in the same grade or year, while クラスメート specifically means someone in the same class. In Japanese schools, students often stay in the same class all day, so クラスメート is very common. 同級生 can include people in other classes of the same grade.
He is in my grade, but not my classmate.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'schoolmate' in all contexts. Using a direct translation like 学校仲間 (がっこうなかま) is not common and may sound unnatural. Instead, use the options above based on the specific relationship.
彼は大学時代の学友です。
He is a schoolmate from university.
校友会に参加した。
I attended the alumni association meeting.