(しょうがっこう)

しょうがっこう
noun
elementary school
1. elementary school, primary school
A school for children aged 6-12, covering grades 1-6 in Japan.
My child will enter elementary school next year.
小学校(しょうがっこう)(いえ)から(ちか)です
The elementary school is close to my house.
小学校(しょうがっこう)先生(せんせい)なりたいです
I want to become an elementary school teacher.
When I was in elementary school, I walked there every day.
日本(にほん)小学校(しょうがっこう)給食(きゅうしょく)()ます
School lunches are served at elementary schools in Japan.

小学校(しょうがっこう) is elementary school, the first stage of Japan's compulsory education system.

STRUCTURE:

  • Ages: 6-12 years old
  • Grades: 1-6 ((いち)年生(ねんせい)(ろく)年生(ねんせい))
  • Duration: 6 years
  • Part of 義務(ぎむ)教育(きょういく) (compulsory education)

JAPANESE SCHOOL SYSTEM:

  • 小学校(しょうがっこう): elementary school (6 years)
  • 中学校(ちゅうがっこう): middle school (3 years)
  • 高校(こうこう)/高等学校(こうとうがっこう): high school (3 years)

RELATED VOCABULARY:

  • 小学生(しょうがくせい): elementary school student
  • 入学(にゅうがく)する: to enter school
  • 卒業(そつぎょう)する: to graduate
  • 給食(きゅうしょく): school lunch

NOTE:
Public elementary education is free. Most students walk to their local school and wear a backpack called {ランドセル}.