Bildungsroman; coming-of-age novel; novel of formation
A literary term for a novel that traces the psychological, moral, and social development of a young protagonist from youth to adulthood. Often used in academic or critical contexts.
"Beneath the Wheel" is a classic German Bildungsroman.
This coming-of-age novel depicts the struggles of a boy as he grows into adulthood.
教養小説 is a near-synonym also translated as Bildungsroman, but often emphasizes the protagonist's broader cultural and intellectual cultivation, while 成長小説 focuses more on personal growth and character development.
Compound of 成長 (growth, development) and 小説 (novel). The term is a calque from German 'Bildungsroman', reflecting the Western literary concept.