初級(しょきゅう)

しょきゅう
noun
beginner level, elementary level
education
1. beginner level, elementary level
The most basic level of skill, knowledge, or difficulty in a graded system. Often used for courses, textbooks, and certifications.
初級(しょきゅう)コースに申(もう)し込(こ)んだ。
I enrolled in the beginner course.
この本(ほん)は初級(しょきゅう)者(しゃ)向(む)けに書(か)かれている。
This book is written for beginners.
初級(しょきゅう)の文法(ぶんぽう)をしっかり身(み)につけてから中級(ちゅうきゅう)に進(すす)もう。
Let's master beginner-level grammar thoroughly before moving on to intermediate.

初級(しょきゅう) means the beginning or elementary level in a graded system. Composed of 初(しょ) (first, beginning) + 級(きゅう) (grade, level).

Level system

Common collocations

  • 初級(しょきゅう)者(しゃ): beginner (person)
  • 初級(しょきゅう)レベル: beginner level
  • 初級(しょきゅう)編(へん): beginner volume/edition
  • 初級(しょきゅう)クラス: beginner class
  • 初級(しょきゅう)文法(ぶんぽう): beginner-level grammar

Usage

Widely used in language learning, martial arts (初段(しょだん) is different), sports, and certification systems. Often modifies nouns directly: 初級(しょきゅう)コース (beginner course).

Related Words

Related: 中級(ちゅうきゅう) (intermediate level)
Related: 上級(じょうきゅう) (advanced level)
general
Added 2026.2.18 8:15 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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