休学

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The spelling is 休学, read きゅうがく, and it combines 休, meaning rest or suspend, with 学, meaning study.
• Basic usage: 休学 is an official temporary leave of absence from school while the student remains enrolled.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Temporary suspension rather than permanent withdrawal
  • The forms are 休学した and 休学. The student pauses studies for six months of treatment or completes formal leave procedures before going abroad instead of leaving school permanently.
• Six months for treatment and paperwork before overseas study
  • 治療に専念するため半年間休学した。 — I took a six-month leave from school to focus on treatment.
  • 留学前に休学の手続きを済ませた。 — I completed the leave-of-absence procedures before studying abroad.