When it comes to describing the grade you’re in, whether in a formal or informal setting, the Japanese language provides various expressions and phrases to convey this information. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to express your grade in Japanese. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Informal Expressions
If you want to use more casual language to talk about your school grade, you can use the following expressions:
1. 年生 (Nensei)
The most common way to express what grade you’re in is by using the word 年生 (nensei), followed by the number of the grade. For example:
1年生 (ichinensei) – 1st grade
2年生 (ninensei) – 2nd grade
3年生 (sannensei) – 3rd grade
4年生 (yonnensei) – 4th grade
5年生 (gonnensei) – 5th grade
6年生 (rokunensei) – 6th grade
Simply combine the number with “年生” to form the informal expression for your grade.
2. 学年 (Gakunen)
Another way to express your grade is using the word 学年 (gakunen), followed by the number of the grade:
一学年 (ichigakunen) – 1st grade
二学年 (nigakunen) – 2nd grade
三学年 (sangakunen) – 3rd grade
四学年 (shigakunen) – 4th grade
五学年 (gogakunen) – 5th grade
六学年 (rokugakunen) – 6th grade
Using “学年” is also a common way to talk about your grade in Japanese.
Formal Expressions
If you’re in a formal situation or speaking with a teacher or someone of higher status, using more polite language is appropriate. The following expressions are commonly used:
1. 学年 (Gakunen)
In formal settings, you can still use “学年” to express your grade, but it is followed by the word “です” (desu) for politeness:
一学年です (ichigakunen desu) – 1st grade
二学年です (nigakunen desu) – 2nd grade
三学年です (sangakunen desu) – 3rd grade
四学年です (shigakunen desu) – 4th grade
五学年です (gogakunen desu) – 5th grade
六学年です (rokugakunen desu) – 6th grade
By adding “です” at the end, your expression becomes more formal and respectful.
2. 学級 (Gakkyū)
In some formal situations, mentioning the 学級 (gakkyū) or “class” along with the grade is also common:
一年生の学級です (ichinensei no gakkyū desu) – 1st-grade class
二年生の学級です (ninensei no gakkyū desu) – 2nd-grade class
三年生の学級です (sannensei no gakkyū desu) – 3rd-grade class
四年生の学級です (yonnensei no gakkyū desu) – 4th-grade class
五年生の学級です (gonnensei no gakkyū desu) – 5th-grade class
六年生の学級です (rokunensei no gakkyū desu) – 6th-grade class
Using “学級” implies not only the grade but also the class you belong to, specifically in formal settings.
Tips and Additional Examples
Here are some extra tips and examples to help you further understand how to express your grade in Japanese:
- When speaking informally, you can omit “です” (desu) at the end of the sentences for a more casual tone.
- If someone asks, “あなたは何年生ですか？” (Anata wa nan-nensei desu ka?) meaning “What grade are you in?”, you can respond using the expressions mentioned above.
- If you want to say, “I am in the 3rd grade,” you can simply say “三年生です” (sannensei desu).
- When introducing yourself, you can say, “私は〇〇学年です” (Watashi wa [grade]gakunen desu) meaning “I am in [grade] grade.”
- Remember to use the appropriate formality based on the situation and the person you are speaking to.
By mastering these expressions, you can confidently state what grade you’re in and engage in conversations about education in Japanese.
Whether you choose to use the informal “年生” or the more formal “学年,” the phrases provided in this guide will help you express your grade accurately and politely. Remember to pay attention to the context and adjust your language accordingly. Now, you have the knowledge to confidently communicate your school grade in Japanese!
