How to Say ‘First grade’ in Japanese
一年
itsu nen
[ee-chee nen]
💬 Usage Tip: [一年] is “one year,” but for grade you’ll commonly say [一年生] (first grader).
🇯🇵 In Japan: When reporting an absence, giving [学年] (grade) is often expected—many schools have multiple students with the same name.
Phrase Breakdown
一
itsu
[ee-chee]
one (kanji part)
Kanji for “one.” Combined with 「年」 it makes 「一年」 (“one year/first year”).
一年の欠席予定を連絡します。
I’m contacting you about a planned absence for one day/year context (example phrase).
年
nen
[nen]
year; grade (kanji part)
Part of 「一年」. In school context, it can relate to grade/year level.
一年は忙しいです。
The first year is busy.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager