Word
休学
Meaning in Englishtemporary absence from school, suspension
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
休学 means taking a temporary break from formal schooling, during which a student suspends attendance and coursework with the intent to resume later.
Main meanings
- Temporary interruption of enrollment, with plan to return.
- Typically formalized by a school notice and duration that may be renewed.
- Not the same as withdrawal (退学), which ends enrollment permanently.
How to use it
Primarily used in educational contexts to describe a deliberate pause in studies; it's formal, used with the verb 休学する to form 休学する, and often accompanied by a defined period or 休学届; appropriate for official documents and academic planning.
Variants and close terms
- 退学 — taigaku, withdrawal from school
- 中退 — chūtai, dropping out before completion
Composition
- 休: rest, pause — indicates taking a break
- 学: study, learning — indicates educational activity
- Combined, the concept is pausing one's studies for a period with the intention to resume
Word class
Noun (suru-verb)
Related words by kanji and components
N1
修学
shuugaku
learning
N1
法学
hougaku
law, jurisprudence
N1
休める
yasumeru
to rest, to suspend, to give relief
N2
お休み
oyasumi
holiday, absence; (exp.) Good night
N2
学術
gakujutsu
science, learning, scholarship
N2
学年
gakunen
year in school, grade in school
N2
学部
gakubu
department of a university undergraduate (course, program, etc.)
N2
学力
gakuryoku
scholarship, knowledge
N2
学科
gakka
study subject, course of study