Translation guide
The English word "grade" covers several distinct concepts in Japanese, including school years, scores/marks, quality ranks, and slopes. The best Japanese word depends on which meaning you intend.
Referring to a year of schooling (e.g., 1st grade, 5th grade).
The standard word for a school year or grade level. Used with numbers: 1年生 (first grader), 2年生 (second grader), etc.
私は小学5年生です。
I'm in 5th grade.
彼は中学2年生だ。
He's in 8th grade (second year of junior high).
Suffix meaning 'grader' or 'year student'. Attach to a number to say what grade someone is in.
1年生の教室はどこですか？
Where is the first-grade classroom?
A numerical or letter score received for academic work.
Refers to grades or academic results overall, not just a single test score. Often used for report cards or final grades.
今学期の成績は良かった。
My grades this semester were good.
成績表をもらった。
I got my report card.
A numerical score or points on a test. Use this for a specific number, like 'I got 80 points'.
Evaluation or assessment, often used for letter grades or qualitative feedback. More formal than 点数.
A classification of quality, such as for products, food, or materials.
A formal rank or grade for quality standards, like in food (e.g., beef grades) or industrial products.
この牛肉は最高等級です。
This beef is the highest grade.
Loanword from English, used in similar contexts to 'grade' for quality levels, especially in technical or commercial settings.
Suffix for rank or class, often used in martial arts, proficiency tests, or product quality (e.g., 1級 = first class).
彼は空手で2級を持っている。
He holds a 2nd grade (kyu) in karate.
The steepness of a road, hill, or surface.
The technical term for slope or gradient, used in engineering, road signs, and everyday descriptions of steepness.
この道は勾配が急だ。
This road has a steep grade.
Incline or slant, often used for slopes in geography or construction. Slightly more formal than 勾配.
The action of grading papers, exams, or performance.
To mark or score a test. The most common verb for grading exams or assignments.
先生がテストを採点している。
The teacher is grading the tests.
To give a grade or evaluation, often for a course or overall performance, not just one test.
学期末に成績をつける。
I assign grades at the end of the semester.
成績 (seiseki) refers to overall academic results or a report card grade, while 点数 (tensuu) is a specific numerical score on a test. Use 点数 for 'I got 90 on the test' and 成績 for 'My grades are good this year.'
数学の点数は90点だった。
My math score was 90.
数学の成績はAだった。
My math grade was an A.
Although グレード (gureedo) is a loanword from English, it is not used for school grades or test scores. Use 成績 or 点数 instead. グレード is mainly for quality ranks of products or technical specifications.
テストの点数は80点だった。
My test score was 80 points.
いい点数を取った。
I got a good grade (score).
The teacher's grading is strict.
このガソリンはレギュラーグレードです。
This gasoline is regular grade.
A hill with a gentle grade.