Translation guide
In Japanese, the most common way to refer to a classmate depends on context. The general term is クラスメート, but in daily conversation, people often use 同じクラスの人 or simply the person's name. There is no single, all-purpose word that perfectly matches English 'classmate' in every situation.
classmate (general)
someone in the same class
The speaker wants to talk about a person who is in the same class at school, without specifying gender or closeness.
A direct loanword from English. Common and understood by all ages, but can sound slightly formal or textbook-like. Safe to use in most situations.
He is my classmate.
Literally 'person of the same class'. Very natural in conversation. Can be used for any gender.
Uses 子 (child) and is common when talking about classmates in elementary through high school. Can sound childish if used for adults.
A literary or formal term for classmate. Rarely used in daily speech; may appear in novels or formal writing.
The speaker knows the person's name and wants to refer to them naturally in conversation.
In Japanese, if you know the person's name, it is most natural to simply use their name with さん (or くん/ちゃん for close friends). Adding 'classmate' is often redundant.
I had my classmate Tanaka show me the textbook.
Useful when you need to clarify that the person is a classmate, for example when talking to someone outside the class.
My classmate Sato told me about it.
The speaker wants to talk about multiple classmates collectively.
While クラスメート is a direct translation, it can sound unnatural if used repeatedly. In casual conversation, Japanese speakers prefer phrases like 同じクラスの人 or simply using the person's name. Reserve クラスメート for when you need a concise, neutral term.
Yesterday, I watched a movie with a classmate.
同級生 refers to someone in the same grade or year, not necessarily the same class. For example, a student in class 1-A and a student in class 1-B are 同級生 but not クラスメート. Use 同級生 when talking about school reunions or people from the same graduating year.
I borrowed notes from a classmate.
I played with a classmate.
Means 'classmate' in the sense of someone in the same grade or year, not necessarily the same homeroom. Often used for school reunions or when referring to someone from the same graduating class.
He and I were classmates in high school.
級友との再会を喜んだ。
He rejoiced at the reunion with his classmates.
I ate lunch with my classmates.
I completed the project in cooperation with my classmates.
He is an elementary school classmate (same grade), but we've never been in the same class.