noun, noun, used as a suffix, counter
Used as a noun, suffix, or counter to indicate a grade, rank, or class in a hierarchy. Common in formal contexts like competitions, evaluations, or classifications.
Suffix used in formal or written Japanese to mean 'and so on' or 'etc.' Similar to など but more literary. Often attached to nouns.
See also: など
会議には部長等が出席した。
The department head and others attended the meeting.
equal; iso-
Prefix used in technical or academic terms to indicate equality or sameness, such as in 等圧線 (isobar) or 等距離 (equidistance). Not productive in everyday speech.
天気図には等圧線が描かれている。
Isobars are drawn on the weather map.
I came in first place in this race.
He took second class in the competition.
このホテルは一等の評価を受けている。
This hotel has received a first-class rating.
東京、大阪等の大都市では人口が集中している。
In large cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, the population is concentrated.
二点間の等距離点を求める。
Find the point equidistant between the two points.
書類等を提出してください。
Please submit the documents and so on.
など is the common, everyday word for 'and so on', while 等 (とう) is the more formal, literary suffix used in official or written contexts.
級 refers specifically to a grade or level (as in skill or exam rank), while 等 covers a broader range of classes or orders in general.
等 is a shorter, neutral way to say 'etc.', while 等々 doubles the character to emphasize an extended or diverse list.
等 is a formal written suffix meaning 'etc.' attached directly to nouns, whereas 云々 typically follows a whole clause or quoted statement.
等 is an even more formal, written equivalent used to mean 'etc.' in official documents, while その他 can appear in slightly less stiff writing.
等（とう）is the formal, written register used in legal or official documents, whereas など is the everyday spoken and written equivalent.
Written the same as 等 (とう), but read など it is the ordinary spoken word for 'etc.', whereas とう is its formal, literary reading used as a suffix.
high class; high grade; advanced
equal; equivalent; same level
equality; impartiality; evenness
superior; first-class; excellent; top quality · bring it on!; just fine!
equal; on equal footing; peer
inferiority; low grade
grade; class; rank; rating · magnitude
body proportions; bodily scale
etc.; and so on
The kanji 等 originally means 'equal' or 'class'. The reading とう is the on'yomi. The suffix use for 'etc.' developed from the idea of 'and others of the same class'.
equal; even; uniform
first class; first rank; first place; first prize · one degree; one level; one grade · most; best
medium grade; middle class; secondary
equivalence; equal value; parity · logical equivalence
equal division; equal parts
special grade; top class; premium quality
elementary; primary
inferior; low-grade; vulgar; lower-class
grade; quality; class
excellence; superiority; honors
at regular intervals; evenly spaced
degree of kinship
equality; equation
contour line; contour
by far; much; far and away · a few levels; several grades
inequality; disparity
equals sign; equality sign
third class; third rank; third prize
second class; second grade; second rank
idempotent
order of merit; medal class · class number (of a medal); order (first, second, etc.)