Hinin did not belong to the four-tiered class system of samurai or warrior administrators, farmers, artisans and merchants; however, in terms of social status on the class system like kuge (court noble), doctor, jinin (shrine associates), they clearly differed from Sanka (nomads) who were outcastes.
いわゆる士農工商には属さないが、公家や医師や神人等と同様にあくまでも身分制度上の身分とされる点で、身分制度外に位置付けられる山窩（サンカ）等とは明確に異なる。