Sotsugyou is the Japanese word for ‘graduation’ – here’s the detail

Japanese people sometimes use the word, “sotsugyou”, meaning ‘graduation’, ‘moving on’ or ‘outgrowing’ in Japanese. In this blog post, I will explain it in detail based on its kanji expression. And also, I will explain its verb form meaning ‘to graduate’ or some such in Japanese. Let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meanings
• Verb form, meaning ‘to graduate’
• Example of sotsugyou meaning ‘graduation’
• Example of sotsugyou suru meaning ‘to outgrow’
• Summary

Definition and meanings

First of all, let me start with a definition and meanings of “sotsugyou”.

• sotsugyou – 卒業 (そつぎょう) : a noun meaning ‘graduation’, ‘moving on’ or ‘outgrowing’ in Japanese.

Its definition and meanings are very simple, but its kanji expression could look a bit difficult for Japanese learners. Here, therefore, let me check it in detail. Checking each single kanji character in kanji expressions would help us a lot to deepen understanding of their meanings or concepts. Below are the kanji characters of “sotsugyou”.

• 卒 – a kanji character often used in Japanese words related to graduation or completion of something.
• 業 – a kanji character widely used in Japanese words related to business, work or study.

From these kanji characters, we can understand that the word, “sotsugyou”, literally means completion of study. This idea is completely in line with its meanings.

Interestingly, the idea behind the kanji expression of “sotsugyou” is very flexible. In fact, Japanese people often stretch it to other meanings and metaphors. For instance, they use it to mean ‘leaving’, ‘quitting’ or even ‘finishing/ending something’ in general. In addition to these usages, they often also use it in its verb form.

Verb form, meaning ‘to graduate’

Below is the verb form of “sotsugyou” which Japanese people often use.

• sotsugyou suru – 卒業する (そつぎょうする) : a verb meaning ‘to graduate’ or ‘to outgrow’ in Japanese.

As you can see here, “suru” is added at the end of “sotsugyou”. In principle, “suru” is a verb meaning ‘to do’ or ‘to perform’ in Japanese. However, when it is put at the end of a noun, it can work to make a verb form of the prior noun. So, here, it works to make the verb form of “sotsugyou”. In a way, it can be used like a suffix to make verb forms of Japanese nouns.

Japanese people often use the above verb form in various situations to mean ‘to outgrow’ or perhaps just ‘to leave’. Of course, it can mean ‘to graduate’ as well, but this usage is a bit limited since its meaning is too specific.

Example of sotsugyou meaning ‘graduation’

Below are new words used in the example.

• watashi – 私 (わたし) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case maker or topic maker. In the example, it is out after the pronoun, “watashi”, to make the subject word in the sentence.
• ashita – 明日 (あした) : a noun meaning ‘tomorrow’ in Japanese. In the example, it is used like an adverb. Learn more about “ashita”.
• shiki – 式 (しき) : a noun meaning ‘ceremony’ in Japanese. It is often used like a suffix after another noun. In the example, it is put after the noun, “sotsugyou”, to add a meaning of ‘ceremony’. So, the formed phrase, “sotsugyou shiki”, exactly means ‘graduation ceremony’ in Japanese.
• ni – に : a case particle put after a noun to indicate a place to which someone or something goes. In the example, it is put after the noun phrase to indicate the place “watashi” is going to.
• iki – 行き (いき) : one conjugation of the verb, “iku”, meaning ‘to go’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for a better connection with its following word.
• masu – ます : an auxiliary verb put after a verb to make it polite. In the example, it is put after the conjugated verb, “iki”, to make it sound polite.

This example exactly shows how Japanese people use “sotsugyou” as a noun. In the next example, I will show you how they use its verb form.

Example of sotsugyou suru meaning ‘to outgrow’

Below are new words.

• kare – 彼 (かれ) : a pronoun meaning ‘he’ in Japanese. Depending on context, it can also mean one’s boyfriend.
• manga – 漫画 (まんが) : a noun meaning ‘comic’ or ‘cartoon’ in Japanese. It is a part of Japanese culture, especially, pop culture.
• wo – を : a case particle put after a noun to make the object word. In the example, it is put after the noun, “manga”, to make the object word in the sentence. It’s written as “wo”, but its actual pronunciation is “o”.
• sotsugyou shi – 卒業し (そつぎょうし) : one conjugation of the verb, “sotsugyou suru”. In the example, it has been conjugated for a better connection with its following word. Basically, its conjugations are subjected to those of “suru”.
• ta – た : an auxiliary verb put after a verb or adjective to make its past tense. In the example, it is put after the conjugated verb to make its past tense.

This is a typical usage of “sotsugyou suru”, it has been conjugated in the example though.

Japanese people often use it to mean ‘to outgrow’ or just ‘to leave’. This is a kind of metaphor based on the concept behind the kanji expression of “sotsugyou”.

Summary

In this blog post, I’ve explained the word, “sotsugyou”, based on its kanji expression. And also, I’ve explained its verb from. Let me summarize them as follows.

• sotsugyou – 卒業 (そつぎょう) : a noun meaning ‘graduation’, ‘moving on’ or ‘outgrowing’ in Japanese. These two kanji exactly mean completion of study. So, its kanji expression is completely in line with its meanings
• sotsugyou suru – 卒業する (そつぎょうする) : a verb meaning ‘to graduate’ or ‘to outgrow’ in Japanese.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.