middle class; middle-class society
Refers to the social stratum between the upper and lower classes, or the lifestyle and values associated with it.
He comes from a middle-class background.
Middle-class values have changed over time.
中産階級 is a more analytical term for the middle class as an economic category, while 中流社会 emphasizes the social and cultural aspects of middle-class life.
上流社会 refers to the upper class or high society, in contrast to 中流社会.
下流社会 refers to the lower class or underclass, often used in sociological discussions.
Compound of 中流 (middle stream, middle class) and 社会 (society). The term reflects a conceptual division of society into upper, middle, and lower streams.