1.
graduate student; postgraduate student
A student enrolled in a graduate school (大学院). Includes both master's and doctoral students.
姉は大学院生です。
My older sister is a graduate student.
大学院生として研究を続けている。
I'm continuing my research as a graduate student.
この研究室には大学院生が十人ほど在籍している。
About ten graduate students are enrolled in this laboratory.
Composed of 大学院 (graduate school) + 生 (student). Often abbreviated to 院生 in casual speech.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 大学院生として研究する (to do research as a grad student)
- 大学院生向けの奨学金 (scholarships for grad students)
- 大学院生の生活 (grad student life)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 院生 — grad student; common abbreviation, used in casual and campus contexts
- 学部生 — undergraduate student
- 研究生 — research student; a non-degree status at Japanese universities, often for international students preparing for entrance exams
- 博士課程 — doctoral program; specifies the level within graduate school
USAGE:
In the Japanese education system, 大学院 covers both the 修士課程 (master's program, typically 2 years) and the 博士課程 (doctoral program, typically 3 years). 大学院生 refers to students at either level.