die Klasse
class
A group of students who are taught together at a school; a grade level.
EXAMPLE
Die Klasse 8b macht nächste Woche einen Ausflug.
Class 8b is going on a trip next week.
die Klasse
class
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Meanings
die Klasse
class
A category or quality level into which people or things are classified.
EXAMPLE
Das Restaurant bietet eine Küche der Extra-Klasse.
The restaurant offers cuisine of the highest class.
die Klasse
class
A social stratum within a society, defined by shared economic or social characteristics.
EXAMPLE
Die industrielle Revolution führte zur Entstehung der Arbeiterklasse.
The Industrial Revolution led to the emergence of the working class.
die Klasse
great
Colloquial expression of approval; means 'great' or 'excellent'.
EXAMPLE
Dass du das für mich erledigt hast, finde ich wirklich Klasse!
I think it's really great that you took care of that for me!
die Klasse
classroom
The room where lessons for a school class take place; the classroom.
EXAMPLE
Bitte geht nach der Pause leise zurück in die Klasse.
Please go back to the classroom quietly after the break.
die Klasse
class
A rank in biological taxonomy that stands between phylum and order.
EXAMPLE
In der Biologie gehören die Vögel zur Klasse der Aves.
In biology, birds belong to the class Aves.
Usage tips
Word family
The word 'Klasse' (class) is the basis for other words such as 'klassisch' (classical/classic) or the verb 'klassifizieren' (to classify). All these words share the basic idea of dividing things into groups or categories.
EXAMPLE
Die Biologen klassifizieren die neue Art.
The biologists are classifying the new species.
Colloquial exclamation
As an expression of enthusiasm, 'Klasse!' (Great!) is used like an adjective or an interjection and is not declined. You can use it as a standalone exclamation or in a sentence.
EXAMPLE
Du hast die Prüfung bestanden? Klasse!
You passed the exam? Great!
Context clue: group vs. room
In a school context, 'Klasse' can mean the group of students or the classroom. Verbs of movement such as 'gehen' (to go) or 'kommen' (to come) usually point to the room ('in die Klasse gehen' = to go into the classroom). 'In der Klasse sein' can mean both.
EXAMPLE
Die Schüler gehen nach der Pause zurück in die Klasse.
The students go back to the classroom after the break.
Typical prepositions
In the school context, the prepositions and case are important. 'In der Klasse sein' (to be in the class; dative) describes membership or location. 'In die nächste Klasse kommen' (to move on to the next grade; accusative) describes promotion at the end of the school year.
EXAMPLE
Meine Tochter ist jetzt in der dritten Klasse.
My daughter is now in third grade.
Typical collocations
To express high quality, 'Klasse' is often used in fixed expressions or compounds. Examples are 'Spitzenklasse' (top class), 'Extraklasse' (extra class/outstanding quality), or the expression 'eine Klasse für sich sein' (to be in a class of one's own).
EXAMPLE
Dieses Hotel ist eine Klasse für sich.
This hotel is in a class of its own.
Specialized context
In the meaning 'soziale Schicht' (social class), the word is mainly used in sociological, historical, or political texts. It is often part of compounds such as 'Arbeiterklasse' (working class) or 'Mittelklasse' (middle class).
EXAMPLE
Die Gesellschaft war in verschiedene Klassen unterteilt.
Society was divided into different classes.
Compare with
Klasse vs toll
great / mad
„Klasse“ and „toll“ can colloquially express the same enthusiasm. In this use, „klasse“ normally remains unchanged, while „toll“ can be inflected like an ordinary adjective. Before a noun, a form of „toll“ is therefore usually used.
Klasse
Ich finde das neue Konzertprogramm klasse.
I think the new concert program is great.
toll
Ich finde das neue Konzertprogramm toll.
I think the new concert program is great.
In real life
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