Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 等級 | tōkyū | [to̞ːkʲɨː] (narrow) |
| 種類 | shurui | [ɕɨɾɯ̟i] (narrow) |
The term for 'class' in Japanese changes significantly based on whether you are describing a hierarchy, a category, a social group or an educational setting. Use 等級 for hierarchical levels, 種類 for categories or types and 階級 when discussing social or economic classes. In educational or professional contexts, you may also encounter 授業 for a general class or 講義 for a university-level lecture.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the specific meaning of 'class' being used. Use 等級 when you mean a rank, grade or a specific level in a hierarchy. Use 種類 when you mean a class in terms of a variety, type or kind of things. If you are referring to social or economic class, you should use 階級 instead of the other terms.
How do you pronounce it?
tōkyū
Did you know?
- When discussing social 'class' using 階級, the first character 階 refers to a 'stair' or 'step', visually representing the social ladder.
- If you want to say 'class' in the sense of 'elegance' or 'refinement', Japanese uses the word 品位, which describes the quality of one's character or appearance.
- If you are talking about a 'class' of students in a specific school group, you would use クラス, a loanword from English, rather than the native Japanese terms.
Examples in context
- 私は毎週月曜日に日本語の授業を受けています。I attend Japanese classes every Monday.
- 私はピアノのレッスンを受けています。I am taking piano lessons.
- 経済学の講義はとても興味深かったです。The economics lecture was very interesting.
- 今日のプログラミングの授業、楽しかったよ！Today's programming class was fun!
- 明日は英語のクラスがあるんだ。I have an English class tomorrow.
- この製品は等級が違います。Kono seihin wa toukyuu ga chigaimasu.This product is of a different class.
- 最高等級の牛肉を食べたいです。Saikou toukyuu no gyuuniku o tabetai desu.I want to eat top-class beef.
- そのホテルは等級が高いです。Sono hoteru wa toukyuu ga takai desu.That hotel is of a high class.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are looking at different types of hotel rooms.
- 健太 Kentaこの部屋の等級はどれくらいですか。Kono heya no tōkyū wa dore kurai desu ka.What class is this room?
- 結衣 Yuiここはスタンダード等級です。Koko wa sutandādo tōkyū desu.This is the standard class.
- 健太 Kentaもっと上の等級はありますか。Motto ue no tōkyū wa arimasu ka.Is there a higher class?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、スイート等級がございます。Hai, suīto tōkyū ga gozaimasu.Yes, we have the suite class.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “class” translations and entries 等級, 種類, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
