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Kotomora

級

class, rank, grade

JLPTN2StatusJōyō · grade 3FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes9

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

Explore all words using 級 →

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.