If you are studying or planning to study in Japan, or simply wish to expand your knowledge of the Japanese language, it is essential to know the school supplies in Japanese. This comprehensive list includes the names of the most common items found in a classroom, presented with their respective romanizations and kanjis.

From basic items like pens and notebooks to more specialized materials like protractors and encyclopedias, you will find everything you need to communicate effectively in the Japanese school environment. Let’s dive into the vocabulary and learn together!

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Gakkou Youhin – 学校用品

School supplies in Japanese are called “学校用品” (gakkou youhin), which literally means “school supplies.”

Japanese school supplies combine functionality, durability, and aesthetics, reflecting the country’s rigorous and detail-oriented educational culture.

If you have the opportunity to visit a stationery store in Japan, you will see how even the simplest items can be designed with care and attention to detail.

School Supplies in Japanese

See below a list of school supplies in Japanese:

  • Adhesive tape – serohanteepu [セロハンテープ]
  • School – gakkou [学校]
  • Pen – pen [ペン]
  • Pencil case – fudebako [筆箱]
  • Textbook – kyouka sho [教科書]
  • Ballpoint pen – boorupen [ボールペン]
  • Magnet – jishaku [磁石]
  • Bookshelf – hondana [本棚]
  • Stapler – hochikisu [ホチキス]
  • Crayon – kureyon [クレヨン]
  • Reference book – sankou sho [参考書]
  • Chair – isu [椅子]
  • Backpack – oi / bakkupakku [笈 / バックパック]
  • Notebook – nooto [ノート]
  • Whiteboard – howaito boodo [ホワイトボード]
  • Calculator – keisan ki [計算器]
  • Marker – maakaa [マーカー]
  • Book – hon [本]
  • Eraser – keshi gomu [消しゴム]
  • Folder – buriifukeesu [ブリーフケース]
  • Desk – tsukue [机]
  • Ruler – jougi [定規]
  • Encyclopedia – hakkajiten [百科事典]
  • Blackboard – kokuban [黒板]
  • Chalk – chooku [チョーク]
  • Calculator – dentaku [電卓]
  • Protractor – bundoki [分度器]
  • Pencil sharpener – enpitsukezuri [鉛筆削り]
  • Reference book – sankou sho [参考書]
  • Scissors – hasami [鋏]
  • Pencil – enpitsu [鉛筆]
  • Paper – kami [紙]
  • Magazine – zasshi [雑誌]
  • Table – teeburu [テーブル]
  • Rubber band – wagomu [輪ゴム]
  • Glue – nori [のり]
  • Folder – foruda [フォルダ]
  • School uniform – gakuseifuku [学生服]
  • Compass – konpasu [コンパス]
  • Eraser – kokubankeshi [黒板消し]
  • Mechanical pencil – shapen [シャーペン]
  • Classroom – kyoshitsu [教室]
  • Dictionary – jisho [辞書]
  • Sketchbook – gashietto bukku [ガシェットブック / gassatsu [画冊]
  • Pencil case – fude bako [筆箱 / pen keesu [ペンケース]
  • Correction tape – shuusei teepu [修正テープ / shuusei eki [修正液]
  • Colored markers – karaa maakaa [カラーマーカー]
  • Construction paper – irogayooshi [色画用紙]
  • Colored pencil – iroenpitsu [色鉛筆]
  • T-ruler – T-jougi [T定規]
  • Brush – fude [筆]
  • Paint palette – paretto [パレット / eguzara [絵具皿]
  • Notepad – memo chou [メモ帳]
  • Graph paper – hougan shi [方眼紙]
  • Triangle ruler – sankaku jougi [三角定規]

Example Sentences

See below some example sentences involving school supplies from Japan:

これは私の新しいノートです。
Kore wa watashi no atarashii nooto desu.

This is my new notebook.

学校で毎日鉛筆を使います。
Gakkou de mainichi enpitsu o tsukaimasu.

I use pencils every day at school.

新しい筆箱を買いました。
Atarashii fudebako o kaimashita.

I bought a new pencil case.

先生は黒板にチョークで書きます。
Sensei wa kokuban ni chooku de kakimasu.

The teacher writes on the blackboard with chalk.

教科書を忘れないでください。
Kyoukasho o wasurenaide kudasai.

Please do not forget the textbook.

Kevin Henrique

Kevin Henrique

Asian culture expert with over 10 years of experience, focusing on Japan, Korea, anime, and gaming. A self-taught writer and traveler dedicated to teaching Japanese, sharing travel tips, and exploring deep, fascinating trivia.

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