1.
fourth-year student; fourth grader; senior (university)
A student in their fourth year of a school. In elementary school refers to a 9–10-year-old, and in a four-year Japanese university refers to a final-year student preparing for graduation.
息子は小学四年生だ。
My son is a fourth grader in elementary school.
大学四年生になって就職活動が始まった。
I became a fourth-year university student and job hunting began.
大学の四年生は卒業論文を書きながら、企業の面接も受ける。
Fourth-year university students write their graduation thesis while also taking corporate job interviews.
Formed from 四年 (fourth year) + 生 (student). Read よねんせい, not しねんせい — the よ reading is used for 4 to avoid the unlucky-sounding し.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 小学四年生: fourth-grade elementary student
- 中学四年生: rare; junior high is only three years
- 大学四年生: fourth-year university student (final year)
- 四年生になる: to become a fourth-year student
USAGE:
In Japan, elementary school lasts six years and university four years, so 四年生 most commonly refers to either a 9–10-year-old or a graduating university student. Japanese universities use 一年生 through 四年生 rather than "freshman/senior" terminology.