Translation guide
Expressing that someone or something is of low social standing, unsophisticated, or inferior in quality. Japanese offers distinct terms for social class, vulgarity, and cheapness.
Describing a person, family, or group as belonging to a lower social class or having low status.
Refers to the lower social class in a neutral, sociological sense. Commonly used in discussions of social stratification.
He comes from a low-class background.
Literally 'low status/rank'. Used historically or in contexts like caste systems, but can sound old-fashioned in modern casual speech.
In that era, they were regarded as low class.
Means 'commoner' as opposed to nobility. Can imply low class in historical contexts, but is not inherently derogatory.
He is of low-class origin, but a fine person.
Describing behavior, taste, or manner as crude, tacky, or lowbrow.
The most common word for 'vulgar' or 'crude'. Used for behavior, jokes, or taste that is offensive or lacking class.
That joke is low class.
Means 'vulgar' or 'lowbrow', often used for media, entertainment, or conversation that is considered cheap or lacking intellectual value.
Describes something unsophisticated, unfashionable, or uncool. Often used for style or remarks that lack refinement.
Describing products, materials, or services that are of low quality, shoddy, or cheap-looking.
Means 'cheap-looking' or 'tacky'. Used for objects that appear low quality or lack elegance.
This bag looks low class.
Means 'crude', 'shoddy', or 'poor quality'. Often used for construction, goods, or treatment that is lacking care.
A direct compound meaning 'low quality'. More technical and less common in everyday speech than 安っぽい.
Directly calling someone 'low class' (低いクラス) is unnatural. Use 下層階級 for social class, or 下品 for vulgar behavior.
下品 is broader and more common for crude behavior or taste. 低俗 specifically refers to lowbrow culture or media. Both can be offensive if used to describe a person directly.
I was shocked by his low-class behavior.
低俗なテレビ番組は見たくない。
I don't want to watch low-class TV shows.
Those clothes are a bit low class, aren't they?
Low-class furniture breaks easily.
They use low-class materials.