進学（しんがく、shingaku）
- advance to higher education

The Japanese word 進学 しんがく means "to go on to higher education," "to advance to the next level of schooling," or "to enter a higher educational institution." It refers to the act of continuing one's education after completing a certain level, such as elementary school, junior high school, or high school, and enrolling in the next level, such as junior high school, high school, or university. This can also include vocational schools or other specialized institutions.

⚫︎大学に進学する。 Translation: To go on to university. ⚫︎高校への進学を希望する。 Translation: To wish to advance to high school. ⚫︎彼女は看護学校に進学を決めた。 Translation: She decided to go on to nursing school.

This word is commonly used in discussions about education, career planning, and future prospects. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts. You would use 進学 when talking about someone's plans or decisions to pursue further education or when discussing educational systems. You can use this word with others, for example, your friends, family, teachers, etc.

進学 is primarily written using kanji and hiragana: 進学. The kanji 進 means "to advance" or "to progress," and 学 means "learning" or "study." There are no variations in the okurigana (the suffix hiragana).

⚫︎入学 (にゅうがく) - "Entering school" or "enrollment" (Focuses on the act of entering). ⚫︎進級 (しんきゅう) - "Advancement to the next grade level" (Specifically used for moving up in elementary, junior high, or high school). ⚫︎就学 (しゅうがく) - "Entering school" (generally used for starting any level of education)

⚫︎卒業 (そつぎょう) - "Graduation." ⚫︎退学 (たいがく) - "Withdrawal from school."

彼は来年、東京大学に進学する予定です。 ・Translation: He plans to go on to the University of Tokyo next year. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates someone's plan to continue their education at a prestigious university.

多くの学生が、卒業後に進学か就職か悩んでいます。 ・Translation: Many students are struggling with whether to go on to higher education or find a job after graduation. ・Explanation: This sentence shows the common dilemma faced by students after graduation, choosing between further studies and employment.

The word 進学 is formed by combining the kanji 進 (shin), meaning "to advance" or "to progress," and the kanji 学 (gaku), meaning "study" or "learning." This combination directly reflects the meaning of progressing to a higher level of learning.