1.
middle class
The social and economic class between the wealthy upper class and the lower class. In Japan, commonly used in sociological and political discussion to describe the broad group of moderately prosperous working and professional people.
Similar words and related terms
- 上流階級: upper class
- 下流階級: lower class
- 労働階級: working class
- 中間層: middle stratum — a more neutral/sociological term sometimes used interchangeably
In Japan, a high proportion of the population has historically identified as 中産階級 (or 中流 ちゅうりゅう), which became a symbol of postwar prosperity.
Related Words
Compare:
中間層 (middle stratum)