Japanese Conversation · Level 53
90 words
Japanese word
等
Pronunciation
Romajitō
Meaning
- counterclass
Example
これは一等の席です。ko re wa ichi tō no seki de su
This is a first-class seat.
More examples
二等席でも十分に快適です。ni tō seki de mo jū bun ni kai teki de su
Even a second-class seat is comfortable enough.
Core concept
Marks a position in a scale or group so that different levels or ranks can be distinguished.
Common phrases
一等席ichi tō seki
first-class seat
一等賞ichi tō shō
first prize
Similar words
級kyū: Marks a grade or level within an ordered system.
段dan: Marks a rank or level in a graded skill or system.
Definition in Japanese
物事を段階や順位に分けたときの一つの区分。mono goto o dan kai ya jun i ni wa ke ta to ki no hito tsu no ku bun
Word origin
等 (tō, "equal; class") is a Sino-Japanese reading of the Chinese character 等, whose meanings include being equal and belonging to a rank or category.
Usage tips
- On signs and tickets, 一等 (ittō, "first-class") uses 等 (tō) to show a level or rank, not the number of an object.
Other meanings
- rankcounter