niveau
/ni.vo/
The French word for grade is niveau.
niveau is used when 'grade' refers to a level of quality, proficiency or a standard (e.g., a level of language or a level of difficulty).
Meaning: performance expressed by a number, letter, or other symbol (noun)
Which one should you use?
While niveau refers to a level or standard, note is the word used for a specific grade or score received on an exam or assignment.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of niveau is niveaux.
How do you pronounce it?
/ni.vo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the English word 'grade' or a literal translation to mean a school grade, whereas in French, one should use note for a score or classe for a school year/grade level.
Did you know?
- In a professional context, a person's 'pay grade' is referred to as échelon, which literally means a 'rung' of a ladder.
- The word note is a polyseme that can refer to a grade, a musical note, or a written memo depending on the context.
- When talking about a 'grade' of alcohol or purity, French uses titre or degré instead of niveau.
Examples in context
- Le passage à niveau était cahoteux.The grade crossing was bumpy.This sentence uses niveau to describe a grade crossing.Tatoeba #11575834 by lbdx, translation #8978095 by mccarras
- Elle a un haut niveau d'intelligence.She has a high grade of intelligence.This sentence uses niveau to describe a level of intelligence.Tatoeba #488644 by mamat, translation #315771 by mamat
Example conversation
Two students are discussing their recent test results.
- HugoQuel niveau as-tu eu au test, Manon ?What grade did you get on the test, Manon?
- ManonJ'ai eu un niveau moyen, et toi ?I got an average grade, and you?
- HugoMoi, j'ai enfin atteint le niveau requis.Me, I finally reached the required grade.
- ManonBravo Hugo, c'est super !Well done Hugo, that's great!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry niveau, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
