転校

てんこう

change schools

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"転校" (てんこう) means to transfer or change schools. It is commonly used when a student moves from one school to another, often due to family relocation or other personal reasons.

Common Contexts

This word is frequently used in conversations about school life, family moves, or changes in a student's environment. It can refer to both elementary, middle, and high school levels.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 転校する: to transfer/change schools
  • 転校先: the school to which one transfers
  • 転校届 (てんこうとどけ): transfer notification form

Register and Nuance

"転校" is a neutral term appropriate for both casual and formal contexts. It is a noun but often used with the verb "する" to form the verb phrase "転校する".

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "転校" with "引っ越し" (moving house). Remember, "転校" specifically refers to changing schools, not moving residences.

Example Sentences

かれはかぞくのつごうでてんこうすることになった。

He had to change schools due to his family's circumstances.

てんこうしてからあたらしいともだちができた。

After changing schools, I made new friends.

てんこうさきのがっこうはまえのがっこうよりおおきい。

The school I transferred to is bigger than my previous school.