Meaning

Primary

University

Alternatives

College, Uni

Word Type

noun

Explanation

What's the big study? If I had to choose, I'd probably say this is college or university.

Reading

だいがく
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. Since has two on'yomi readings, here's a mnemonic to help you remember which one to use:

Your university is best known for its dye gawking (だいがく). It's a sport in which you gawk at dye, and your university is the best at it! Other universities might be known for their football or basketball teams, but yours is the best at dye gawking.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 大学の先生

    university teachers

    大学のキャンパス

    a university campus

    大学の学生

    university students

Context Sentences

父は、1991年に大学に入った。

My father entered college in 1991.

大学ではフランス文学を学びました。

I studied French literature at university.

日本の大学は、二十五才より年が下の学生が多いです。

Many college students in Japan are younger than twenty five.

Kanji Composition