高等|こうとうkoutou[0]heiban (flat)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
- na-adjective, no-adjectivehigh class; high grade
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.
- 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


