等级等級
Term · Grading
grade (special grade, grade 1, grade 2)
Literal meaning
grade (special / first / second grade)
Definition#
The official quality grades defined in the yancha GI standard, assigned per product category by sensory criteria (appearance, aroma, liquor, taste, leaf base). 特级 is the top grade. The 2026 revision reportedly sharpens descriptors, e.g. requiring a long-lasting cassia-bark aroma for top-grade Rougui.
Translation and usage#
| Language | Use | Alternatives & cautions |
|---|---|---|
| English | grade (special grade, grade 1, grade 2) standard quality grades translation |
Also acceptable
Avoid AAA / imperial / king grade vendor inventions with no standard basis |
| Deutsch | Güteklasse Qualitätsstufen nach Standard translation |
Also acceptable
|
| Русский | сорт (высший, первый, второй) категория качества по стандарту translation |
Also acceptable
|
| 简体字 | 等级 | Also acceptable
|
| 繁體字 | 等級 | Also acceptable
|
| 日本語 | 等級（特級・一級・二級） |
Common confusions#
- Vendor grade words (Imperial, AAA) are mapped onto 特级 without basis.
- Russian «сорт» means both grade and cultivar; specify.
- The number of grades varies by product: GB 18745-2002 gave 特级 to 二级 for Rougui but 特级 to 三级 for Shuixian and Qizhong. Fresh leaf (茶青) has its own 一级 to 三级 scale.