第だい三さん階かい級きゅう

noun

the third estate; the bourgeoisie

Historical term from pre-revolutionary France, referring to the commoners as distinct from the clergy (first estate) and nobility (second estate). Used in discussions of the French Revolution and class structure.

• フランス革かく命めい前まえ、第だい三さん階かい級きゅうは重おもい税ぜいを負ふ担たんしていた。

  Before the French Revolution, the third estate bore heavy taxes.

• 第だい三さん階かい級きゅうは国こく民みん議ぎ会かいを結けっ成せいした。

  The third estate formed the National Assembly.