class, rank, grade

About this kanji

The kanji "級" primarily means class, rank, or grade, and it is often used as a noun. For example, "階級" (かいきゅう) refers to a social class, while "高級" (こうきゅう) means high-class, indicating something of superior quality. You’ll also find it in the word "同級生" (どうきゅうせい), which means classmate, referring to someone in the same grade as you. Another example is "一級" (いっきゅう), meaning one grade or first level. Note that this kanji does not have a kun'yomi reading, so you'll typically encounter it in compound words.

Example sentences

• 彼は日本語能力試験のN1級だ。

  He is at level N1 of the Japanese language proficiency test.

Meanings across languages

English

class, rank, grade

Tiếng Việt

hạng, cấp, độ

日本語

クラス, ランク, 学年

한국어

급, 등급, 차수

中文

级别, 排名, 等级

id

kelas

th

ระดับ

es

clase

fr

classe

de

Klasse

pt

classe

Common compounds

• 階級かいきゅう(social) class, rank, grade
• 高級こうきゅうhigh-class, high-grade, high-quality
• 同級生どうきゅうせいclassmate
• 一級いっきゅうone grade, first-class, primary
• 下級かきゅうlower grade, low class, junior (officer)
• 学級がっきゅう(school) class
• 初級しょきゅうelementary level, beginner level
• 上級じょうきゅうupper level, upper grade, high rank