expression, noun
pecking order; peck order
Refers to the social hierarchy within a group, originally from the behavior of chickens. Used figuratively for human organizations.
会社では、つつきの順位がはっきりしている。
In the company, the pecking order is clear.
新入りはつつきの順位の一番下から始まる。
Newcomers start at the bottom of the pecking order.
序列 is a more formal, general term for ranking or hierarchy, while つつきの順位 specifically evokes the animal-like, often informal social pecking order.
階級 refers to class or rank in a structured system (e.g., social class, military rank), whereas つつきの順位 is about the informal dominance hierarchy within a group.
From つつき (pecking) + の (possessive particle) + 順位 (order, rank). The term is a direct translation of the English 'pecking order', which originated from observations of chicken social behavior.