ゼミナール
ぜみなーる
noun
seminar; study group
1.
seminar; study group
A small, discussion-based class or study group at a university, typically led by a professor. The shortened form ゼミ is far more common in everyday speech.
ゼミナールに入る。
To join a seminar group.
毎週水曜日にゼミナールがある。
The seminar meets every Wednesday.
経済学のゼミナールで卒業論文のテーマについて議論した。
We discussed thesis topics in the economics seminar.
田中先生のゼミナールは人気があって、毎年定員を超える応募がある。
Professor Tanaka's seminar is popular and receives more applicants than it can admit every year.
A loanword from German "Seminar." In Japanese universities, the ゼミ (shortened form) is a central part of academic life, especially in the humanities and social sciences. Students typically choose a ゼミ in their second or third year and work closely with a professor through graduation.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ゼミに入る: to join a seminar group
- ゼミの先生: seminar professor
- ゼミ生: seminar student, seminar member
- ゼミの発表: seminar presentation
- ゼミ合宿: seminar retreat/training camp
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ゼミ: seminar — the much more common shortened form
- セミナー: seminar — from English, used more for professional or business seminars
- 講義: lecture — a one-directional class, unlike the discussion-based ゼミ
- 研究会: study group, research group — a broader academic group
CULTURAL NOTE:
Choosing a ゼミ is one of the most important academic decisions for Japanese university students. The ゼミ professor often serves as a mentor and may help with job placement after graduation.