Why do I need to know Klasse?
Similar to its English translation, the German word Klasse -Â pronounced like this - has many useful meanings.
Whether you're speaking with students about school, categorising things, checking over your receipt from the grocery store, or just expressing excitement, it'll help to understand this word.
What does is it mean?
As you may have intuited, the direct translation of Klasse is "class", and in many cases its used in the same way.
For example, primary school is divided into several grades, or classes, called Klassen. But note that when talking about a specific class, like German class or science class, the terms Kurs (course)Â or Unterricht are more common.
Klasse is also used in German to mean a set or category of things with common attributes - a classification. For example, eine Schiffsklasse means “a classification for ships."
For this reason you may sometimes see Klasse written on a receipt, when objects of different tax classes are noted.
Klasse can also be a technical term in various academic subjects. In the mathematical topic Mengenlehre (set theory) it describes die Zusammenfassung von Objekten (the summary of objects).
It also describes the structure and behaviour of real objects in software design, and is used to classify organisms in Biologie (biology).Â
But Klasse also exists in German slang. On the street it more often means "cool" or “awesome” in the right context.
For example, "Du hast die Beförderung bekommen? Klasse!" (You got the promotion? Awesome!) Â
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This is similar to how the word class is sometimes used by English speakers, especially the Irish e.g. "Now that's class."
What are its origins?
Like many German words, this one can be traced back to Latin. It is based on the word classis which, believe it or not, means class, but also a fleet or ships and the beckoning of someone.
Its use as a positive exclamation is said to have originated during the second half of the 20th century. Â
How is it used?
Apart from its use in some academic fields, the word is seen in many German compound words like Schulklasse (school class) and Klassenraum (class room).
In other, less obvious, compound terms it can add a positive exclamation to basic things, such as Klassefrau (meaning a very attractive woman) and Klassemann (meaning a good guy).
How to use Klasse:
Sie ist ja eine klasse Tänzerin.
She’s a great dancer.
Und sie hat ja gesagt? Klasse!
And she said yes? Awesome!
Der neue Tarantino Film wird bestimmt klasse sein.
The new Tarantino Film is sure to be great.
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