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.
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.
彼は私のクラスメートです。
He is my classmate.
Literally 'person of the same class'. Very natural in conversation. Can be used for any gender.
同じクラスの人にノートを借りた。
I borrowed notes from a classmate.
Uses 子 (child) and is common when talking about classmates in elementary through high school. Can sound childish if used for adults.
同じクラスの子と遊んだ。
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.
彼とは高校の同級生です。
He and I were classmates in high school.
A literary or formal term for classmate. Rarely used in daily speech; may appear in novels or formal writing.
級友との再会を喜んだ。
He rejoiced at the reunion with his classmates.
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.
田中さんに教科書を見せてもらった。
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.
同じクラスの佐藤さんが教えてくれた。
My classmate Sato told me about it.
The speaker wants to talk about multiple classmates collectively.
Means 'everyone in the class'. Very natural and friendly.
クラスのみんなと写真を撮った。
I took a photo with my classmates.
Plural form of 同じクラスの人. Neutral and clear.
同じクラスの人たちと昼ごはんを食べた。
I ate lunch with my classmates.
Plural of クラスメート. Slightly stiff but acceptable.
クラスメートたちと協力してプロジェクトを完成させた。
I completed the project in cooperation with my classmates.
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.
昨日、同じクラスの人と映画を見た。
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.
彼は小学校の同級生で、同じクラスになったことはない。
He is an elementary school classmate (same grade), but we've never been in the same class.