Translation guide
In Japanese, the term for primary school depends on context. The standard word is 小学校, but in official names or historical contexts, other terms may appear.
The most common and neutral way to refer to a primary school (grades 1–6) in modern Japan.
When part of the official name of a specific school, the term may be shortened or use a different reading.
Referring to primary schools in the pre-1947 education system, which had a different structure.
This is the standard Japanese word for elementary or primary school, covering grades 1 through 6. It is used in everyday conversation, official documents, and addresses.
私の子供は来年小学校に入学します。
My child will enter primary school next year.
この近くに小学校がありますか？
Is there a primary school near here?
In official school names, 小学校 is read as しょうがっこう and is the standard suffix. For example, 'Tokyo Primary School' would be 東京小学校.
私は東京小学校に通っていました。
I attended Tokyo Primary School.
In some school names, especially older or abbreviated forms, 小 may be used as a suffix meaning 'primary school'. It is often read as しょう in this context.
彼は青葉小の卒業生です。
He is a graduate of Aoba Primary School.
This was the term for ordinary elementary schools under the old education system (before WWII). It is now only used in historical contexts.
祖父は尋常小学校で学びました。
My grandfather studied at an ordinary primary school.
During the war years (1941–1947), elementary schools were renamed 国民学校 (national schools). This term is now historical.
戦時中は小学校が国民学校と呼ばれていました。
During the war, primary schools were called national schools.