三 年 生(さんねんせい)

さんねんせい

noun

third-year student

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(むすめ)は三年生(さんねんせい)になった。

My daughter has become a third-year student.

高校(こうこう)三年生(さんねんせい)は受験勉強(じゅけんべんきょう)で忙(いそが)しい。

Third-year high school students are busy with entrance exam preparation.

大学(だいがく)三年生(さんねんせい)になると、多(おお)くの学生(がくせい)が就職活動(しゅうしょくかつどう)を始(はじ)める。

When students become university juniors, many of them start their job search.

Compound of 三年(さんねん) (three years) + 生(せい) (student). In Japan, both junior high and high school last three years, so 三年生(さんねんせい) marks the final year of those stages — an important year for entrance exams.

Common collocations

小学(しょうがく)三年生(さんねんせい): third-grader (elementary)
中学(ちゅうがく)三年生(さんねんせい): third-year junior high student (final year)
高校(こうこう)三年生(さんねんせい): third-year high school student (final year)
大学(だいがく)三年生(さんねんせい): third-year university student
三年生(さんねんせい)になる: to become a third-year student

Similar words

一年生(いちねんせい): first-year student
二年生(にねんせい): second-year student
四年生(よねんせい): fourth-year student (university senior)
受験生(じゅけんせい): examinee — often refers to third-year high school students preparing for university exams

Related Words

Compare: 一年生(いちねんせい) (first-year student)

Compare: 二年生(にねんせい) (second-year student)

Compare: 四年生(よねんせい) (fourth-year student)

Compare: 受験生(じゅけんせい) (examinee)

Compare: 三年間(さんねんかん) (three years)

general

Added 2026.5.14 10:41 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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