- 1a/ˌsekənd ˈklæs/treated as inferior (people)二等的（人）
Treated as less important and less valuable than other people, and given worse treatment or fewer rights because of it.
「second-class」用在人身上時，講的是「被放在比較低的那一層」。最有名的搭配是 second-class citizen（二等公民）。意思是同樣是這裡的一份子，卻拿不到同樣的權利。重點不是這個人真的比較差。而是別人這樣對待他、這樣看他。所以句子裡常出現 treated like、treated as、feel。這個詞帶著明顯的不滿。說話的人通常正在指出這件事不公平。它幾乎都放在名詞前面，中間常加連字號，寫成 second-class。
示範例句 · Example
Part-time staff here are treated like second-class citizens — same work, fewer benefits.
中文翻譯這裡的兼職員工被當作二等公民對待——一樣的工作、比較少的福利。
常見搭配
second-class citizen
二等公民
someone who is given fewer rights or worse treatment than others in the same place
They said the new rule would turn them into second-class citizens.
treat someone like a second-class citizen
把某人當二等公民對待
to give someone worse treatment than everyone else
Please don't treat the new interns like second-class citizens.
second-class status
次等的身分
the position of being ranked below other people
The report describes their second-class status at work.
feel second-class
覺得自己低人一等
to feel that you are being placed below other people
Nobody should have to feel second-class in their own team.
意思相近
inferiorlesserlower-statusmarginalized
用法接近
second-rateoverlookedsidelined
意思相反
first-classequaltop-tier
- 2a/ˌsekənd ˈklæs/lower standard次級的；次一等的
Of a lower standard or quality than the best, so it does not reach the top level.
這個 second-class 講的是東西或服務的水準。意思是「排在最好的那一級下面」。不是壞掉、不能用。是明明可以更好，卻只給到次一級。常見的搭配像 second-class education、second-class service。用這個字的人通常帶著不滿。他們是在說「我們不接受只有這種水準」。跟 second-rate 很接近。second-rate 比較直接說東西本身品質差；second-class 多半還帶著「被分到比較低那一級」的味道。
常見搭配
a second-class education
次一等的教育
teaching of a lower standard than the best available
We will not accept a second-class education for our children.
second-class service
次一等的服務
service that is worse than what others receive
Customers here are tired of second-class service.
second-class treatment
次一等的對待
a lower standard of care or attention than others get
Patients in the old building complained about second-class treatment.
意思相近
inferiorsecond-ratesubstandardlower-quality
意思相反
first-classtop-qualityexcellent
- 3a/ˌsekənd ˈklæs/university degree grade二等的（榮譽學位）
正式Used to describe a British university degree that is good, but is one level below the highest grade.
英國的大學會把畢業成績分成幾個等第。最高的那一級是 first class。緊接在下面的一級就叫 second class。最常見的說法是 a second-class honours degree。這是一個「好」的成績，只是不是最高的那一個。台灣沒有這樣的分法，所以看英國的履歷或成績單時常會遇到。它幾乎只出現在正式的場合，像申請學校、寫履歷、學校公告。
常見搭配
a second-class honours degree
二等榮譽學位
a British degree graded one level below the highest
He graduated with a second-class honours degree in law.
a second-class degree
二等學位
the shorter way of naming that grade
A second-class degree is the usual entry requirement.
graduate with a second-class degree
以二等學位畢業
to finish university at that grade
She graduated with a second-class degree last summer.
意思相近
upper secondlower second
用法接近
honours degreepass degree
意思相反
- 4n/ˌsekənd ˈklæs/cheaper travel class (noun)二等艙；二等車廂
The cheaper and less comfortable class of travel on a train or ship, one level below first class, and above third class where a third class exists.
當名詞用時，second class 指的是「二等這個等級」本身。火車和船把座位分層：最上面是 first class，下面一層就是 second class。有些國家還有 third class，那 second class 就夾在中間。這個名詞常跟 travel、go、be in 一起用，例如 travel second class、seats in second class。講的是等級，不是品質好壞。買票、看月台指示牌時很常遇到。
常見搭配
travel second class
搭二等
to go by the cheaper class on a train or ship
Students usually travel second class.
go second class
坐二等
to choose the second-class option
Let's go second class — the trip is only an hour.
a seat in second class
二等的座位
a place in the second-class section
There are two seats left in second class.
upgrade from second class
從二等升等
to move up to a better class
She paid a little more to upgrade from second class.
用法接近
third classbusiness class
意思相反
- 5n/ˌsekənd ˈklæs/printed-matter mail (US)二類郵件（美國報刊）
正式In the United States, the class of mail used for sending newspapers, magazines, advertisements and similar printed material through the post.
美國的郵政把郵件分成幾個大類。second class 這一類收的是報紙、雜誌、廣告這類印刷品。它跟速度沒什麼關係，講的是「這是哪一種東西」。所以美國的 second class 和英國的 second class 不一樣。英國分的是快慢，美國分的是內容種類。看到這個詞時，先看看文章在講哪一個國家的郵務。這個說法多半出現在正式或行政的文件裡。
常見搭配
mailed second class
以二類郵件寄出
sent using that category of mail
The journal is mailed second class every month.
second-class postage
二類郵資
the postage rate for that category
Second-class postage rates changed in January.
go out as second class
以二類寄出
to be sent in that category
The newsletter goes out as second class.
意思相近
periodicals mailbulk mail
用法接近
third classjunk mail
意思相反
- 6n/ˌsekənd ˈklæs/cheaper, slower post (British, noun)二類郵件（英國）
In Britain, the cheaper class of post, which usually takes longer to arrive than first class.
英國寄信時要先選一個等級。first class 貴、快；second class 便宜、慢一點。當名詞用的時候，second class 指的就是「便宜的那一級」本身。郵局櫃檯常直接問 first class or second class?。常見的搭配是 send something second class、by second class。它講的是寄送方式，跟信裡寫什麼無關。
常見搭配
send something second class
用二類寄
to post something using the cheaper service
I sent the parcel second class on Monday.
by second class
以二類郵寄
using the cheaper postal service
Documents are sent by second class unless marked urgent.
first class or second class
一類還是二類
the two British postal options offered at the counter
First class or second class, madam?
意思相近
standard postsurface mail
用法接近
recorded deliveryairmail
意思相反
- 7n/ˌsekənd ˈklæs/Scout rank (US)二級（美國童軍階級）
In the Boy Scouts of America, a rank that comes just above tenderfoot and just below first class.
美國童軍把成員的進度分成一級一級。剛入門的那一級叫 tenderfoot。往上一級是 second class。再往上才是 first class。所以這裡的 second class 是一個「拿到的階級」，要通過一些技能才能升上去。它跟座位、郵件那些用法共用同一個畫面：一排等級，second 就是第二層。這個說法只在美國童軍的圈子裡用，別的地方看不到。
常見搭配
earn second class
取得二級
to gain that rank by completing the requirements
He earned second class before the camp.
reach second class
升到二級
to get up to that level
Most new scouts reach second class within a year.
work toward second class
為二級努力
to be doing the tasks needed for that rank
She is working toward second class this term.
用法接近
tenderfootmerit badge
意思相反