級
class, rank, grade
Readings
On'yomi
- キュウ
Kun'yomi
—
Nanori
- しな
Meaning
級 centers on a step or tier in a system: a class, rank, or grade that orders things by level.
Most common words using 級
20 of 224- 級きゅうN3
(school) grade; year; class
- 高級こうきゅうN3
high-class; high-grade; high-quality; high-end; luxury
- 上級じょうきゅうN3
upper level; upper grade; high rank; advanced level; senior level; upper class
- 同級生どうきゅうせいN1
classmate
- 階級かいきゅうN1
(social) class
- 学級がっきゅうN2
(school) class
- 中級ちゅうきゅうN3
intermediate level
- 等級とうきゅうN1
grade; class; degree; rank; rating; order; points
- 初級しょきゅうN3
elementary level; beginner level
- 下級かきゅう
lower grade; low class; junior (officer)
- 最上級さいじょうきゅう
highest grade; finest quality; top class
- 進級しんきゅう
promotion (school, military, etc.)
- 上級生じょうきゅうせい
student in a higher grade; upperclassman
- 下級生かきゅうせい
student in a lower grade; underclassman
- 特級とっきゅう
high grade; special grade; classy
- 同級どうきゅうN1
the same grade; same class
- 級友きゅうゆうN1
classmate; friend in the same class
- 超ド級ちょうドきゅう
superlative; extraordinary; mega; outstanding
- 昇級しょうきゅう
promotion; advancement
- 低級ていきゅう
low-grade; low-class; low-quality; vulgar; cheap
Study
Etymology
級 combines 糸 (thread) with 及, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of reaching or connecting. The thread component suggests a graded series, like steps on a rope or levels of quality in silk.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is thread 糸, and the right side 及 looks like a hand reaching. Imagine a hand pulling a thread through a loom to create different grades of fabric: each pull sets a new class or rank.
Reading mnemonic
For キュウ, picture a queue of students lined up by grade: queue -> キュウ, and each person's rank is marked by their thread-like uniform stripe.