"Your school?" "Me?" "How to refer to parents or teachers?" Appropriate terminology to use in a Statement of Purpose! [Statement of Purpose Preparation]

Last updated: 2026/02/12

This series, [Practical Writing Techniques], provides lectures on practical techniques for creating essays, short papers, and statements of purpose, which I, Shimeno, an instructor of short papers and essays, teach in my daily correction and grading guidance.

※This article contains advertisements.

(You can see Shimeno's self-introduction here.)

Today, I will talk about the various terms (how to refer to things) used in a Statement of Purpose.

For School Recommendation Entrance Examinations (public recommendation, designated school recommendation) and Comprehensive Selection (formerly AO entrance exams), you are required to create a Statement of Purpose. Here, I will summarize the appropriate terms (how to refer to things) to use in them. A Statement of Purpose is an important "document". There are appropriate terms to use when writing in a "document", so let's check them.

(Of course, in such "documents," the principle is to avoid casual expressions like spoken language and use formal expressions like written language. You can check the main spoken language expressions that should not be used in the following article.)

Appropriate terminology to use in a Statement of Purpose

1. "Boku" (I) is not allowed. Use "Watashi" (I) consistently for the first person.

"Boku" is not allowed. Of course, "Ore" is out of the question. A surprisingly common one is "Jibun" (myself). It is often seen in the writing of students from sports clubs, but this is also not allowed. In a Statement of Purpose or short paper, please use "Watashi" consistently.

2. How to refer to parents: "Chichi" (father), "Haha" (mother).

This is about so-called kinship vocabulary (kinship terms/names). "Otousan," "Okaasan," "Papa," and "Mama" are not allowed. Please use "Chichi" and "Haha". "Onee-chan" and "Onii-chan" are not allowed. Please use "Ane" (older sister) and "Ani" (older brother). "Ojiichan," "Obaachan," "Ojisan," and "Obasan" are not allowed. Please use "Sofu" (grandfather), "Sobo" (grandmother), "Oji" (uncle), and "Oba" (aunt).

3. Honorifics for the target institution are "Kigaku," "Kiko," etc. Use "Onkou" in interviews.

If the target institution is a university, the honorific is "Kigaku". If it is a vocational school, it is "Kiko". For various other schools, it is "Kiko." A surprisingly common mistake is "Hongaku." "Hongaku" is a term used by staff or professors of a university to refer to the university they belong to. As an applicant, you are not a member of that university, so "Hongaku" is not allowed. Furthermore, for job applicants, if the target is a company, "Kisha" is appropriate, and if it is a store, "Kiten" is appropriate. Similarly, if the target is a government office, "Kicho" is appropriate, and if it is a public office, "Kisho" is appropriate. Note that in interviews (spoken), "Ongaku" (Onkou is also acceptable), "Onkou," "Onsha," "Onsho," etc..

4. How to refer to students enrolled in a university: "Zai-gakusei" (enrolled student).

For university students, "Zai-kousei" (enrolled student) is not allowed. Students enrolled in elementary, junior high, or high schools are "Zai-kousei". In contrast, students enrolled in a university are "Zai-gakusei". Note that for students enrolled in various schools such as vocational schools, they are "Zai-kousei".

5. How to refer to university "teachers": "Kyoju" (professor), "Koushi" (lecturer), "Daigaku-kyoin" (university faculty), etc.

University "teachers" are not called teachers, but rather "professors," "associate professors," "lecturers," "assistant professors," or "research assistants." When referring to university "teachers" collectively, "professors and lecturers, etc." is acceptable (or "university faculty"). You can use it like, "Your university has an excellent faculty of professors and lecturers..." For "teachers" at various schools, including vocational schools, use "faculty members." Use it like, "At the open campus, I received careful guidance from the faculty members." Note that "teachers" at kindergartens, elementary schools, junior high schools, and high schools are "kyoyu" (licensed teachers). It is appropriate to write "I want to become an elementary school teacher (kyoyu)" rather than "I want to become an elementary school teacher (sensei)." "Teachers" at nursery schools are "nursery teachers" (hoikushi). Write "I want to become a nursery teacher" rather than "I want to become a nursery school teacher." For other "teachers," use their professional title (school nurses, doctors, lawyers, etc.).

6. The term for "students" in kindergarten is "enji" (kindergarteners).

"Children" in kindergartens and nursery schools are "enji." "Students" in elementary school are "jido" (pupils). Use it like, "To become an elementary school teacher, one must be able to understand the hearts of pupils." "Students" in junior high and high school can simply be called "seito" (students). "Students" in universities, vocational schools, and various other schools are "gakusei" (students).

7. The head of a university is the "gakucho" (president).

The head of an elementary, junior high, high school, or various other schools is a "kocho" (principal), but for a university, it is "gakucho." Some universities use "socho" (chancellor) (former imperial universities), but "gakucho" is acceptable (according to the School Education Act). Private universities have different titles depending on the institution, so be sure to check the materials of the university you are applying to.

Summary

It is highly unlikely that you would be rejected solely for using these incorrectly, but when an "adult" reader looks over the document, they will feel a great sense of discomfort. Use the correct terminology in your statement of purpose and essays.

<Reference Books>

Yomiuri Style Book 2020, First Edition, March 25, 2020

(Note: If you want to confirm the appropriate names and titles to use in such documents or official writing, it is convenient to have a "handbook" of the type that newspaper reporters refer to when writing articles. The "Yomiuri Style Book" mentioned above is one such book. The Kyodo News "Reporter's Handbook" can also be purchased by ordinary people who are not in the media industry. By the way, since "language is a living thing," it is better to buy the newest edition possible.)

(These "books on how to write official documents" are also helpful. You can confirm what is considered "proper written language and notation.")

(Note: Notations and expressions related to statements of purpose are also covered in the following articles.)

(Click here for the site map for creating a statement of purpose)

For those worried about "how to write a statement of purpose," this "Shimeno-style Template Statement of Purpose Creation Method" is recommended! (Price reduced on 2025/03/25!)

5 points to keep in mind when writing a statement of purpose for medical school (and medical-related departments) applicants!