種類

• Reading: しゅるい
• Romaji: shurui
• Kanji breakdown: 種 (shu/tane) — seed, kind, type. 類 (rui) — sort, kind, category
• Pronunciation: /ɕɯ.ɾɯ.i/

Meaning

Kind; type; variety; category; sort. Used to classify or distinguish different types of things.

A formal-sounding noun commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese. Frequently appears in questions like どんな種類 (what kind) and この種類 (this type). The counter ～種類 is used for counting types or varieties of things.

Examples

1. このお店にはたくさんの種類のパンがあります。 This shop has many kinds of bread.
2. どんな種類の音楽が好きですか。 What kind of music do you like?
3. 三種類のケーキを注文しました。 I ordered three kinds of cake.

Usage Guide

Context: classification, shopping, food

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 種 (shu, seed/kind) and 類 (rui, sort/type). Together they emphasize classification by type — literally 'seed categories,' reflecting how different seeds produce different plants.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal