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日本語
大学 — meaning in English: University
daigaku · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
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university
大学
daigaku
コメント
komento
侵略
shinryaku
疑惑
giwaku
学校
gakkō
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neutral
very common
Usage
Native speakers commonly use the term 大学 (daigaku) when discussing higher education in Japan. For example, students might say, '私は東京大学に通っています' (I attend the University of Tokyo) when talking about their studies, or parents might discuss their child's future plans in the context of university education.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym for 大学 is 専門学校 (senmongakkō), which means 'vocational school.' While 大学 refers to universities offering a broader range of academic disciplines, 専門学校 focuses on specialized training in specific fields. Use 大学 when discussing traditional university education, and 専門学校 when talking about vocational paths.
Culture
The word 大学 (daigaku) is composed of two characters: 大 (dai), meaning 'big' or 'large,' and 学 (gaku), meaning 'learning' or 'study.' This reflects Japan's cultural emphasis on education as a significant societal pillar. Interestingly, the modern concept of universities was introduced in Japan during the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century, leading to a transformation in academic institutions across the country.
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