Translation guide
This entry covers how to express the concept of 'high-level' in Japanese, including high rank, advanced skill, and abstract overviews.
Describing a person, position, or meeting that is at a high level in an organization or hierarchy.
Refers to a high-ranking official, typically in government. Use for people.
He is a high-level government official.
Means high rank or high position, often used in formal contexts. Can refer to people or abstract ranks.
He holds a high-level position in the company.
A common phrase for 'high-level talks' or 'high-level meeting', using the loanword ハイレベル.
The two countries held high-level talks.
Describing something that is of a high standard, advanced, or sophisticated, such as skills, technology, or content.
Means 'advanced' or 'high-level' in terms of degree or sophistication. Commonly used with 技術 (technology), な (na-adjective), etc.
This company has high-level technology.
A very common and versatile phrase meaning 'the level is high'. Can be used for skills, quality, difficulty, etc.
His Japanese is at a high level.
Means 'advanced level', often used for classes, courses, or proficiency levels.
Describing a high-level overview, summary, or abstract concept, as opposed to detailed or low-level.
Means 'overview' or 'summary'. Often used in business or technical contexts for a high-level description.
First, I'll explain a high-level overview of the project.
An adjective meaning 'rough' or 'broad', used for a high-level, not detailed explanation.
Please tell me the high-level plan.
A literal translation 'at a high level', used in contexts like 'high-level discussion' meaning abstract or strategic. Less common than other options.
We need a high-level discussion.
Directly translating 'high-level' as 高いレベル is often unnatural. Use context-appropriate words like 高度, 高官, or 概要 instead.
高度 emphasizes advanced degree or sophistication (e.g., technology, skills), while 高水準 emphasizes a high standard or quality (e.g., education, living standards).
He solved a high-level math problem.
Literally 'high standard', used for quality or level of something like education, living, or performance.
This university provides a high-level education.
このゲームはレベルが高い。
This game is high-level (difficult).
彼は上級クラスにいる。
He is in a high-level class.