1.
kindergarten entrance ceremony; nursery school entrance ceremony
A formal ceremony held at the beginning of the school year to welcome new children entering kindergarten or nursery school. A significant milestone event for families in Japan.
来月入園式がある。
The kindergarten entrance ceremony is next month.
入園式に着ていく服を買った。
I bought clothes to wear to the entrance ceremony.
息子の入園式で感動して涙が出た。
I was so moved at my son's kindergarten entrance ceremony that tears came to my eyes.
Composed of 入園 (entering a kindergarten/nursery) + 式 (ceremony). One of the many ceremony types (式) marking transitions in the Japanese education system.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 入園式に出席する: to attend the entrance ceremony
- 入園式の服装: attire for the entrance ceremony
- 入園式の準備: preparation for the entrance ceremony
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 入学式: school entrance ceremony — for elementary school and above
- 卒園式: kindergarten graduation ceremony — the counterpart held when children leave
- 入社式: company entrance ceremony — for new employees joining a company
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
Held in April at the start of the Japanese school year. Parents dress formally, and the children often wear their new uniforms for the first time. The ceremony typically includes speeches, introductions of teachers, and class assignments. It is a major family event, with both parents often attending.