1.
student, pupil
A student, typically at middle school or high school level.
生徒 specifically refers to middle school and high school students in Japan.
STUDENT TERMS BY LEVEL:
- 児童: elementary school student
- 生徒: middle/high school student
- 学生: university student
GENERAL USAGE:
学生 is sometimes used loosely to mean any student, but 生徒 specifically implies secondary education.
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 生徒会: student council
- 生徒手帳: student handbook
- 生徒指導: student guidance
- 生徒数: number of students
ETYMOLOGY:
生 (life/person) + 徒 (follower) = one who follows (a teacher).