1.
third-year student; third grader
A student in their third year of a given school level. In Japan, the third year is the final year of junior high and of high school, making this a significant designation for entrance exam preparation.
娘は三年生になった。
My daughter has become a third-year student.
高校三年生は受験勉強で忙しい。
Third-year high school students are busy with entrance exam preparation.
大学三年生になると、多くの学生が就職活動を始める。
When students become university juniors, many of them start their job search.
Compound of 三年 (three years) + 生 (student). In Japan, both junior high and high school last three years, so 三年生 marks the final year of those stages — an important year for entrance exams.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 小学三年生: third-grader (elementary)
- 中学三年生: third-year junior high student (final year)
- 高校三年生: third-year high school student (final year)
- 大学三年生: third-year university student
- 三年生になる: to become a third-year student
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 一年生: first-year student
- 二年生: second-year student
- 四年生: fourth-year student (university senior)
- 受験生: examinee — often refers to third-year high school students preparing for university exams