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March 24, 2026
年级(年級)niánjí(nian2ji2)
年级 (niánjí) refers to a grade or year in an educational context, such as the level of schooling a student is currently in. It is commonly used in both primary and secondary education settings, as well as in universities to denote the year of study.
Frequency#1957DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In China, the education system is structured in a way where students are typically placed in grades based on their age, and moving to the next 年级 signifies an important transition in their academic journey.
Memory Tip
Imagine a student climbing a staircase, each step represents a different 年级 (niánjí) or grade. The '年' (nián) part resembles a calendar year, while '级' (jí) sounds like 'jeep', which can drive you to the next grade level.
Meanings of 年级
niánjí(nian2ji2)
1grade
2year (in school, college etc)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 年级
年级Simplified
年級Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
区别词distinguishing word (dist.)Part of Speech
#1957Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 年级
Podcast: 年级
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AI Study Notes for 年级
Quick Contrast
年级 (niánjí) vs 学级 (xuéjí) — use 年级 for specific grades in schools, while 学级 is more general and can refer to levels in different educational systems.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a student climbing a staircase, each step represents a different 年级 (niánjí) or grade. The '年' (nián) part resembles a calendar year, while '级' (jí) sounds like 'jeep', which can drive you to the next grade level.
Usage Notes
When using 年级, it's important to pair it with appropriate numerals to specify the grade, like 一年级 (yī niánjí) for first grade. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts, as it is primarily used in everyday conversation about education.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 3 word, 年级 connects with other education-related vocabulary such as 学校 (xuéxiào, school) and 课程 (kèchéng, course). Students should practice using it in context, such as discussing their own school experiences.
Cultural Note
In China, the education system is structured in a way where students are typically placed in grades based on their age, and moving to the next 年级 signifies an important transition in their academic journey.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 年级 with 学年, using them interchangeably, which is incorrect. For example, saying '我在我的学年' (Wǒ zài wǒ de xuénián) is wrong; it should be '我在三年级' (Wǒ zài sān niánjí) to specify the grade.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 年级
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Grammar Patterns of 年级
年级 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
这对双胞胎不需要重读二____。
The twins didn't have to repeat their second year at school.
The twins didn't have to repeat their second year at school.
2
到9点时，三年级学生都在大厅里等待参加晨会。
dào9 9 diǎn， shí ， sān nián jí xué shēng dū zài dà tīng lǐ děng dài cān jiā。
By 9, the juniors are in the hall for assembly.
3
艾迪: 李东从小学一年级起就被认为很有天赋.
ài dí: : lǐ dōng cóng xiǎo xué yī nián jí qǐ jiù bèi rèn wéi hěn yǒu tiān.
Eddy: He has been regarded as a gifted one since grade
4
我二年级时数学不及格。
wǒ èr nián jí shí shù xué bù jí gé。
I flunked math in second grade.
5
我们是一年级学生,他们是二年级学生.
wǒ mén shì yī nián jí xué shēng, , tā mén shì èr nián jí xué.
We are freshmen and they are sophomores.
6
他们让他升入了二年级.
tā mén ràng tā shēng rù le èr nián jí.
They promoted him into the second year class.
7
上四年级时，他频频旷课。
shàng sì nián jí shí， ， tā pín pín kuàng。
In his fourth year he was truanting regularly.
8
她忍受着别人的嘲笑，一直忍到四年级。
tā rěn shòu zháo bié rén de cháo xiào， ， yī zhí rěn dào sì nián。
She tolerated the teasing, until the fourth grade.
9
一些四年级学生写信询问有关研究生课程的信息.
yī xiē sì nián jí xué shēng xiě xìn xún wèn yǒu guān yán jiū shēng kè chéng de xìn xī.
Some senior students wrote in asking for information concerning postgraduate studies.
10
所有七、八年级的学生均可观看此剧。
suǒ yǒu qī、 、 bā nián jí de xué shēng jūn kě guān kàn cǐ。
The play is open to all seventh and eighth graders.
Cultural Notes for 年级
🏮Cultural insight
In China, the education system is structured in a way where students are typically placed in grades based on their age, and moving to the next 年级 signifies an important transition in their academic journey.
Frequently Asked Questions about 年级
You can say, '我在三年级' (Wǒ zài sān niánjí), meaning 'I am in third grade.'
Yes, 年级 is specifically used to refer to grades in school or college, and is not used in other contexts.
年级 refers to the specific grade level, while 学年 (xuénián) refers to the academic year as a whole.
