Translation guide
Expressing that someone or something is of low social standing, unsophisticated, or inferior in quality. Japanese offers distinct terms for social class, vulgarity, and cheapness.
Describing a person, family, or group as belonging to a lower social class or having low status.
Refers to the lower social class in a neutral, sociological sense. Commonly used in discussions of social stratification.
彼は下層階級の出身だ。
He comes from a low-class background.
Literally 'low status/rank'. Used historically or in contexts like caste systems, but can sound old-fashioned in modern casual speech.
その時代、彼らは低い身分と見なされていた。
In that era, they were regarded as low class.
Means 'commoner' as opposed to nobility. Can imply low class in historical contexts, but is not inherently derogatory.
彼は平民の出だが、立派な人物だ。
He is of low-class origin, but a fine person.
Describing behavior, taste, or manner as crude, tacky, or lowbrow.
The most common word for 'vulgar' or 'crude'. Used for behavior, jokes, or taste that is offensive or lacking class.
あの冗談は下品だ。
That joke is low class.
彼の下品な振る舞いに驚いた。
I was shocked by his low-class behavior.
Means 'vulgar' or 'lowbrow', often used for media, entertainment, or conversation that is considered cheap or lacking intellectual value.
Describes something unsophisticated, unfashionable, or uncool. Often used for style or remarks that lack refinement.
その服はちょっと野暮ったいね。
Those clothes are a bit low class, aren't they?
Describing products, materials, or services that are of low quality, shoddy, or cheap-looking.
Means 'cheap-looking' or 'tacky'. Used for objects that appear low quality or lack elegance.
このバッグは安っぽく見える。
This bag looks low class.
Means 'crude', 'shoddy', or 'poor quality'. Often used for construction, goods, or treatment that is lacking care.
A direct compound meaning 'low quality'. More technical and less common in everyday speech than 安っぽい.
Directly calling someone 'low class' (低いクラス) is unnatural. Use 下層階級 for social class, or 下品 for vulgar behavior.
下品 is broader and more common for crude behavior or taste. 低俗 specifically refers to lowbrow culture or media. Both can be offensive if used to describe a person directly.
低俗なテレビ番組は見たくない。
I don't want to watch low-class TV shows.
Low-class furniture breaks easily.
低品質の素材を使っている。
They use low-class materials.