年级

• Pinyin: nián jí
• Hanzi breakdown: 年 (nián) — year; 级 (jí) — level, grade, rank

Meaning

Grade; year (in school). Refers to the level or year of study in an educational institution.

Used to indicate which grade or year a student is in, from primary school through university. Often combined with a number, such as 三年级 (third grade). Can refer to both the grade level and the group of students in that grade.

Examples

1. 我弟弟上三年级了。 My younger brother is in third grade now.
2. 你是几年级的学生？ What grade are you in?
3. 他们年级有两百多个人。 There are over two hundred people in their grade.

Usage Guide

Context: school, education, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 她今年上五年级。(She is in fifth grade this year.)
• 你们年级有多少学生？(How many students are in your grade?)

Don't Say

• 不要用年级来指大学的年份 (Don't use 年级 for university years — Chinese universities more commonly use 大一、大二、大三、大四)

Origin & History

Compound of 年 (year) and 级 (level, grade). Together they specify the year-level within an educational system.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal