成績
seiseki[se̞ːse̞kʲi]
The English word 'grade' (meaning performance expressed by a number, letter or other symbol) can be translated into Japanese as 成績 (seiseki). Wiktionary also lists 点数 (tensū).
Meaning: performance expressed by a number, letter, or other symbol (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 成績 | seiseki | [se̞ːse̞kʲi] (narrow) |
| 点数 | tensū | [tẽ̞ɰ̃sɨː] (narrow) |
In Japanese, the term used depends on whether you are discussing overall academic performance or a specific numerical score. Use 成績 to talk about a student's overall academic record or performance over time. To express the act of achieving or receiving a grade, you can use the verb phrase 成績を取る. If you are referring to a specific numerical score or the number of points earned on a particular test or assignment, use 点数. To express the act of earning a specific numerical score, use the verb phrase 点数を取る.
Which one should you use?
成績 refers to an academic record or overall performance, whereas 点数 refers specifically to a score or the number of points earned.
How do you pronounce it?
seiseki
Did you know?
- While 成績 is used for grades, the word 学年 (gakunen) refers to a student's 'grade' in terms of their year in school. Using 成績 to describe which year of school someone is in would be a major mistake.
- In high-pressure exams, students may use the slang term 赤点 (akaten), which literally means 'red point', to refer to a failing grade.
- The kanji 成 in 成績 means 'to become' or 'to achieve', while 績 originally referred to the act of weaving or taking achievement from work.
Examples in context
- 試験の成績はどうだった。What grade did you get on the test?This sentence is useful for asking about a grade on a test using 成績.Tatoeba #151088 by bunbuku, translation #263468 by CK
- 私の成績が悪かった理由は、勉強しなかったからです。The reason why I got a bad grade is that I did not study.This sentence is useful for explaining a bad grade using 成績.Tatoeba #1142397 by bunbuku, translation #246598 by CK
- 最初に試験を終えた生徒が必ずしも一番良い成績を取るとは限らない。The student who finishes the examination first does not always get the best grade.This sentence is useful for discussing the relationship between speed and the best grade using 成績.Tatoeba #170481 by KK_kaku_, translation #244002 by CK
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their report cards after school.
- 陽葵 Himari今学期の成績、確認した？Konkagki no seiseki, kakunin shita?Did you check your grades for this semester?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、成績はまあまあだったよ。Un, seiseki wa maamaa datta yo.Yeah, my grades were okay.
- 陽葵 Himariよかったね。私は少し不安だよ。Yokatta ne. Watashi wa sukoshi fuan da yo.That's good. I'm a little nervous.
- 大翔 Hiroto大丈夫、陽葵ならきっといい成績を取れるよ。Daijoubu, Himari nara kitto ii seiseki o toreru yo.It's okay, Himari, I'm sure you can get good grades.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grade” translations and entries 成績, 点数, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
