1. Teacher’s Lounge- しょくいんしつ 職員室 (Shokuinshitsu)
2. Gymnasium- たいいくかん 体育館 (Taiikukan)
3. Science Lab- りかしつ 理科室 (Rikashitsu)
4. Principal’s Office- こうちょうしつ 校長室 (Kochoshitsu)
5. Music Room- おんがくしつ 音楽室 (Ongakushitsu)
6. Library- としょしつ 図書室 (Toshoshitsu)
7. Bathroom- トイレ (Toire)
8. Office- じむしつ 事務実 (Jimushitsu)
9. Classroom- きょうしつ 教室 (Kyoshitsu)
10. Art Room- びじゅつしつ 美術室 (Bijutsushitsu)
11. Auditorium- こうどう 講堂 (Kodo)
12. Nurse’s Office- ほけんしつ 保健室 (Hokenshitsu)
*Note: I didn’t put cafeteria in this list because in my elementary school, we generally eat in the classroom. I think that’s how it is with most Japanese, public elementary schools (middle school I’m not sure, though).
13. Math- さんすう, 算数 (Sansu)
Science- りか, 理科 (Rika) / かがく, 科学 (Kagaku)
Another kanji for kagaku can also mean chemistry.
15. Physical Education- たいいく, 体育 (taiiku)
16. Social Studies-しゃかいか, 社会科 (Shakaika)
17. Art- びじゅつ, 美術 (Bijutsu)
18. History- れきし, 歴史 (Rekishi)
19. Homeroom- かっきゅかつどう (Kakkyukatsudo)
20. Bookbag- おい, 笈 (Oi)
21. Pencil- えんぴつ, 鉛筆 (Empitsu)
22. Mechanical Pencil- シャーペン (Sha-pen)
23. Eraser (for pencils)- けしゴム, 消しゴム (Keshigomu)
Eraser (for chalkboard)- こくばんけし, 黒板消し (Kokubankeshi)
24. Ballpoint Pen- ボールペン (Borupen)
25. Protractor- ぶんどき 分度器 (Bundoki)
26. Chalkboard- こくばん, 黒板 (Kokuban)
27. Compass- コンパス (Konpas)
28. Paper- かみ, 紙 (Kami)
29. Magnet-じしゃく, 磁石 (Jishaku)
30. Chalk- チョーク(Cho-ku)
31. Ruler- じょうぎ, 定規 (Jougi)
32. Rubber band-わゴム輪ゴム
33. Teacher’s desk- きょうたく, 教たく (Kyotaku)
34. Bookshelf- ほんばこ, 本箱 (Honbako)
35. Scotch tape- セロハンテープ (Serohan Ta-pu) (like cellophane tape)
36. Calculator- でんたく, 電卓 (Dentaku)
37. Pencil sharpener- えんぴつけずり, 鉛筆削り(Enpitsukezuri)
38. Stapler- ホチキス (Hochikisu)
39. Scissors- はさみ, 鋏 (Hasami)
40. Pencil Case- ふでばこ, 筆箱 (Fudebadko)
41. Principal- こうちょうせんさい, 校長先生 (Kocho Sensei)
42. Vice Principal- きょうとせんせい, 教頭先生 (Kyoto Sensei)
43. School Nurse- ようごほけんのせんせい, 予後保健の先生(Yogohoken no Sensei)
*Not 100% certain on the kanji for this one.
44. Teacher- せんせい, 先生 (Sensei)
45. Assistant Teacher- ほじょきょうゆ, 補助教諭 (Hojokyoyu)
46. Homework- しゅくだい (Shukudai)
47. School Lunch- きゅうしょく (Kyushoku)
48. Class- じゅぎょう 授業 (Jugyo)
49. Chair- いす, 椅子 (Isu)
50. Desk- つくえ, 机 (Tsukue)
51. Textbook きょうかしょ
52. Slippers うわわき
53. Year Student ねんせい
54. Milk Carton
Any other words you’d like to tack on to the list? Go for it in the comments section below 😀
Sincerely,
Donald Ash
25 Japanese School Phrases You Should Know
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Wow! You know more school words than I do.
Just to let you know……
School nurse = 保健養護の先生 養護is to take care
Slippers= 上履き *履く is to wear something on your feet
Kyoto sensei = 教頭 きょうとう先生 *教= to teach 頭= head, meaning head teacher
Milk carton= 牛乳パック
I know a lot about Japan’s public school system…but from a different perspective than you—I have three kids that have gone through the school system here…kindergarten to high school. My oldest will begin college next spring.
>we generally eat in the classroom….Japanese, public elementary schools (middle school I’m not sure, though).
Students eat lunch in their classrooms in junior high (middle school) too.
Many high schools have a cafeteria though.
I wrote a post comparing Japan and America’s public schools:
http://tokyo5.wordpress.com/2010/07/29/japanese-vs-us-schools/
Thank you sooooooooo much! Doumo arigatou gozaimasu! This is exactly what I needed!
Damned, I find this now that my son has graduated after 10 years in J-school. Anyway, thanks a lot.
Our 7 year old (almost 8 year old) will begin Japanese Elementary School here in Yokohama on August 27. None of us speak or read Japanese. I worry about the supplies and understanding her homework. A new Japanese class starts at Sacred Heart Church in Sept on Saturdays so we can do that and in November a twice a week class also begins at the Naka Ward Intl Lounge. I am feeling very anxious. If you can recommend any tutors that would be nice. We also know they will have someone come to the school for 2 hours a week to help our daughter but I wonder will the teacher give out the assignments at the beginning of the week? Maybe we could hire a tutor for Mondays and he/she could help us figure out what is going on each week at the beginning. Thoughts?
Sorry for the late reply. I can understand how that might make you feel a bit anxious. Honestly this is the first time I’ve gotten this question. I’m gonna have to ask around on this one, Katherine. Do you know if any other foreign students are in the same class as your child?
actually, slippers is スリッパ:)
うわぱき, as in indoor slippers.
You are so awesome!! That saved my life!!! This list put a huge smile on my face!
I was wondering what note cards/ index cards are called in Japan?
ノートカード
Nōtokādo
Hey everyone I am new
That is creepy
I was wondering what underwire was because I walked into a store and wanted some underwear and did not know what to say
Haha. Underwear in Japanese is 下着 (shitagi).
What is a head teacher- its a lower position than lower than principal or viceprincipal but higher than a subject head teacher? Equally how do they call a subject head teacher. Also other speciality roles like disabled students teacher.
also Math is not さんすう it is すがく
Sansu is elementary math.
Suugaku is jr. High school math.
I have a student in my class (she’s very young, she just turned five) who only speaks Japanese and doesn’t know any English. does anyone know any simple phrases like write or color or cut that can help me tell her what to do or things that can calm her down when she’s upset like its almost time to go home, or your dad will be here soon or it’s going to be okay? it would really be help me out a lot. (also please respond in romaji, I cant read kanji or katakana)
Write it=Kaite kudasai
Color it=somete kudasai
Cut it=tate kudasai
Read it =yomekudasai
Dont worry, your dad will be here soon= daijoubu, anata no otosan wa sugu ni koko ni imasu
Its time to go home = uchi o kaeru jikan dawa
Please calm down = ochitsuku kudasai
Is that alright= sore de ii desuka
Dont cry = nakanai kudasai
Im your friend = watashi wa anata no tomodachi naa
wouldn’t yondekudasai for reading be better?
I use Yome Because i am commanding. Yonde is use when the speaker is doing that now. Or short yome is imperative and yonde is gerund.
Yondekudasai is correct. Yome is a strong command and it is weird to use kudasai with such a strong command.
Markers, pencil crayons, clay, tissue paper…any words for art supplies. I used to buy great markers in Japan and can’t find them here 🙁