成績

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 成績(せいせき) denotes results or performance in study or other activities.
• Basic usage: It describes a substantial improvement in math grades this semester.
  • 今学期は数学の成績が大きく上がった。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Performance and a score
  • 点数(てんすう) focuses on a numerical score. 成績 can refer more broadly to academic assessment or business performance as well as scores.