高等|こうとうkoutou[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N2approx.Common
Definitions
  1. na-adjective, no-adjectivehigh class; high grade
    Human beings are the higher mammals.
Conjugation
Plain form高等(こうとう)
Polite (desu)高等です(こうとうです)
Negative (dewa nai)高等ではない(こうとうではない)
polite (dewa arimasen)高等ではありません(こうとうではありません)
Past (datta)高等だった(こうとうだった)
Past negative (dewa nakatta)高等ではなかった(こうとうではなかった)
Te form (de)高等で(こうとうで)
Adverbial (ni)高等に(こうとうに)
Conditional (nara)高等なら(こうとうなら)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym高級こうきゅうNeutralRefers to high-end quality, mostly for goods and services; 「高等」 is about rank and education level rather than luxury.
  • Related高度こうどWrittenDescribes advanced, sophisticated technology or skill; 「高等」 is about rank classification, not technical complexity.
  • Related高いたかいNeutralThe everyday adjective for high; 「高等」 mostly appears in compounds like 「高等学校」 rather than standing alone.
  • Antonym初等しょとうWrittenWritten word for the elementary, basic level, the direct opposite of 「高等」, as in 「初等教育」.
  • Antonym低等WrittenWritten word meaning low in rank or grade; the direct opposite of 「高等」.

Use 「高等」 for high levels in education or rank, as in 「高等学校」 and 「高等動物」. For advanced, sophisticated technology say 「高度」, for high-end goods 「高級」, and for the basic level 「初等」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 程度ていどや等級とうきゅうが高たかいさま。
Kanji in this word
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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