【Learn Chinese】10 Essential Chinese Words for Graduation Season

Late May to early June marks the most emotional and bustling period on Chinese university campuses: graduation season.
Across the country, millions of students trade their everyday casual clothes for crisp academic gowns, gather with classmates for group photos under iconic campus landmarks, and share heartfelt farewells before embarking on the next chapter of their lives. This milestone comes with a rich set of unique traditions and specialized vocabulary that every Chinese learner should master to connect with peers and understand this meaningful cultural moment.
Here are 10 essential graduation vocabulary words, organized by category, with practical example sentences:

Core Graduation Terms
毕业 (bìyè) - to graduate. Example: "我下个月就要毕业了。" (Wǒ xià gè yuè jiù yào bìyè le.) - "I am graduating next month."
毕业生 (bìyèshēng) – graduate. Example: "今年有超过一千万大学毕业生进入职场。" (Jīnnián yǒu chāoguò yī qiān wàn dàxué bìyèshēng jìnrù zhíchǎng.) - "Over 10 million university graduates will enter the workforce this year."
毕业典礼 (bìyè diǎnlǐ) - graduation ceremony. Example: "大多数学校会在六月初举办毕业典礼。" (Dàduōshù xuéxiào huì zài liù yuè chū jǔbàn bìyè diǎnlǐ.) - "Most schools hold graduation ceremonies in early June."
学位 (xuéwèi) - academic degree. Example: "她获得了计算机科学学士学位。" (Tā huòdé le jìsuànjī kēxué xuéshì xuéwèi.) - "She received a bachelor's degree in computer science."

Graduation Traditions
学士服 (xuéshì fú) - bachelor's gown/cap and gown
Example: "毕业生们穿着学士服在图书馆前拍照。" (Bìyèshēngmen chuānzhe xuéshì fú zài túshūguǎn qián pāizhào.) - "Graduates take photos in front of the library wearing their caps and gowns."
毕业照 (bìyèzhào) - graduation photo
Example: "班级毕业照是很多人珍藏一生的纪念品。" (Bānjí bìyèzhào shì hěnduō rén zhēncáng yīshēng de jìniànpǐn.) - "Class graduation photos are keepsakes many people treasure for a lifetime."
散伙饭 (sànhuǒ fàn) - graduation farewell dinner
Example: "散伙饭通常是班级最后一次集体活动。" (Sànhuǒ fàn tōngcháng shì bānjí zuìhòu yī cì jítǐ huódòng.) - "The farewell dinner is usually the last collective activity for a class."

Post-Graduation Paths & Blessings
找工作 (zhǎo gōngzuò) - to look for a job
Example: "很多毕业生在毕业前半年就开始找工作。" (Hěnduō bìyèshēng zài bìyè qián bàn nián jiù kāishǐ zhǎo gōngzuò.) - "Many graduates start looking for jobs six months before graduation."
考研 (kǎoyán) - to take the postgraduate entrance exam
Example: "约三分之一的毕业生选择考研继续深造。" (Yuē sān fēn zhī yī de bìyèshēng xuǎnzé kǎoyán jìxù shēnzào.) - "About one-third of graduates choose to take the postgraduate exam for further study."
前程似锦 (qiánchéng sì jǐn) - may your future be bright (the most common graduation blessing)
Example: "祝所有 2026 届毕业生前程似锦！" (Zhù suǒyǒu 2026 jiè bìyèshēng qiánchéng sì jǐn!) - "Wishing all 2026 graduates a bright future!"