Recognize 校 in everyday Japanese, learn its meanings (school) and read it as part of complete words.

The idea

A kanji can have Japanese-origin readings (kun) and readings borrowed through Chinese (on); learn each reading with its word. Compare 学校（がっこう） and 高校（こうこう） in the table. 校 has 10 strokes; follow their order in the linked KanjiVG diagram.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingMeaning
学校がっこうschool
高校こうこうhigh school
小学校しょうがっこうelementary school
校長こうちょうschool principal

Examples

  • 学校がっこうは駅えきの近ちかくです。The school is near the station.
  • 朝あさ、学校がっこうへ歩あるいて行いきます。I walk to school in the morning.
  • 妹いもうとは小学校しょうがっこうに通かよっています。My younger sister attends elementary school.
  • 兄あには高校こうこうで勉強べんきょうしています。My older brother studies at high school.
  • 校長こうちょうがみんなに話はなします。The principal speaks to everyone.
  • 学校がっこうの図書室としょしつで本ほんを読よみます。I read a book in the school library.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

学校 is read がっこう, while 高校 is read こうこう. Learn the reading of each complete word; the character does not have just one pronunciation. In 学校, the small っ marks a pause before こう. 校 normally appears in compounds rather than as a standalone word.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 学校 in hiragana.

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    がっこう

    学校 is read がっこう; the expression means “school”.

  2. Write the reading of 高校 in hiragana.

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    こうこう

    高校 is read こうこう; the expression means “high school”.

  3. Fill in the missing kanji: 高＿（こうこう）.

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    校

    校 completes 高校, read こうこう; the expression means “high school”.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 校 from memory, and read 学校 and 高校 aloud. Check both the readings and meanings.