種類|しゅるいshurui[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounvariety; kind; type; category
   動物園どうぶつえんにはたくさんの種類しゅるいの動物どうぶつがいる。↗

   There are many kinds of animals in the zoo.
2. countercounter for kinds, species, etc.
   破壊はかいの結果けっか、毎日まいにち５０種類しゅるいもの野生やせいの動植物どうしょくぶつが消滅しょうめつしていると見積みつもられている。↗

   It has been estimated that, as a result of the destruction, fifty species of wildlife are disappearing from the earth each day.

• Synonym部類ぶるいNeutralThe category something falls into; often in 「〜の部類に入る」, used when judging what group it belongs to.
• SynonymカテゴリNeutralLoanword for a category or classification; most common for website and product categories.
• Synonym類るいWrittenIn written prose it appears in 「類い稀な」, meaning unrivaled; 「種類」 has no such usage.
• Synonym型かたNeutralA fixed style, type, or mold; 「種類」 focuses on categories distinguished by nature.
• SynonymタイプNeutralLoanword for type; often used for personality types, and more colloquial than 「種類」.
• SynonymジャンルNeutralGenres of art, literature, and music, such as mystery novels or jazz.
• Synonym類型るいけいWrittenA typical category formed by generalization; academic in flavor, as in 「類型化」.
• Synonym種目しゅもくNeutralAn event or item within a competition, as in 「競技種目」.
• Synonym種別しゅべつNeutralClassification by kind; mostly seen on forms and official documents, as in 「会員種別」.
• SynonymクラスNeutralA class, grade, or grouping, as in 「ビジネスクラス」 and 「クラス分け」; 「種類」 is about distinguishing by nature.
• Synonym類いたぐいNeutralThings of the same kind, often with a dismissive nuance, as in 「その類いの話」; can also mean someone's equal or match.
• Synonym範疇はんちゅうWrittenA broad category or scope; used in both academic and general contexts, as in 「予想の範疇を超える」.
• Related銘柄めいがらNeutralA product brand or the name of a stock, such as brands of sake or rice; not a general word for kinds.
• Related部門ぶもんNeutralA division within an organization, or a section in contests and awards, as in 「新人部門」.
• Related形態けいたいWrittenWritten word for outward form or mode, as in 「雇用形態」; it does not mean a kind itself.
• Related様式ようしきWrittenA style, format, or pattern, as in 「建築様式」; it does not denote a category.

Use 「種類」 for categories distinguished by nature. 「カテゴリ」 fits website and product categories, 「ジャンル」 artistic genres, 「種目」 competition events, and 「銘柄」 brands. タイプ is more colloquial and often for personality types; 型 is a fixed style or mold. In writing, 類型 is academic, 範疇 a broad category, and 様式 a style or format. 部類 is the group something falls into; 類い is often dismissive.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 個々ここの事物じぶつをある共通きょうつうした性質せいしつによって区分くぶんしたときに出来できる集あつまり。