Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 類 / 类 | lèi |
| 種類 / 种类 | zhǒnglèi |
When referring to a group, collection, category or set sharing characteristics or attributes, you use these terms. Note that if you mean a 'class' in the sense of a lesson or educational course, you should instead use 课 (kè) for a concise term or 课程 (kèchéng) for a more formal emphasis on the structured learning process. To express the action of attending or taking a class, you can use the verbs 上 (shàng) or 修 (xiū).
Which one should you use?
The single-character form 類 / 类 is often used in formal, scientific or taxonomic contexts to denote a specific class or category. The compound form 種類 / 种类 is the more common way to refer to 'kinds', 'types' or 'varieties' in everyday speech and general descriptions.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a classifier or part of a compound, 類 / 类 functions as a noun indicating a category of things. When discussing educational classes, you can use the measure words 节 (jié) or 门 (mén).
How do you pronounce it?
lèi
Did you know?
- When talking about a 'class' as a lesson, Chinese uses the measure word 节 (jié), which literally means 'section' or 'joint' of a bamboo stem.
- The traditional character 類 / 类 contains the radical for 'dog' 犬, which hints at its ancient connection to the concept of 'bone' or 'skeletal remains'.
- The measure word 门 (mén), meaning 'door', is used to count academic subjects or classes, creating a mental image of walking through a gateway to a field of study.
Examples in context
- 这个学期我选修了很多有趣的课程。In this semester, I have chosen many interesting classes.
- 我明天有一节数学课。I have a math class tomorrow.
- 今天的英语课堂非常有趣。Today's English class was very interesting.
- 我今天有一节法语课。I have one French class today.
- 我正在上一门历史课。I am taking a history class.
- 我每周上五节中文课。I attend five Chinese classes per week.
- 我正在学汉语，每天都有课。I am learning Chinese and have classes every day.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “class” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 類, CC BY-SA 4.0.
