Meaning and Usage
"母校" (ぼこう) means "alma mater," referring to the school, college, or university one graduated from or attended. It is a formal term often used in conversations about education, reunions, or expressing gratitude toward one's former school.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "母校" in contexts like alumni events, school anniversaries, or when someone talks about their educational background with respect or nostalgia.
Collocations and Patterns
- 母校の大学 (ぼこうのだいがく): alma mater university
- 母校に恩返しをする (ぼこうにおんがえしをする): to give back to one's alma mater
- 母校の校歌 (ぼこうのこうか): alma mater's school song
Register and Nuance
"母校" is a respectful and somewhat formal word. It is not used casually to refer to any school but specifically to the one you graduated from or have a strong connection with. Avoid confusing it with just "学校" (school) or "出身校" (school attended), as "母校" carries emotional and respectful connotations.
Learner Tip
Learners sometimes confuse "母校" with "出身校" (しゅっしんこう), which means "school attended" but does not necessarily imply the same emotional attachment. Use "母校" when emphasizing pride or gratitude toward your former school.