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March 24, 2026
梯tī(ti1)
The character 梯 (tī) refers to a ladder or stairs, objects that facilitate climbing to different heights. It is commonly used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as describing a means of advancement or progress in life or work.
Strokes11Radical木Frequency#9233DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, ladders are often associated with upward mobility, both in social status and career advancement. The phrase 'climbing the ladder' (阶梯) is commonly used in professional contexts.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tall tree with branches like a ladder reaching up to the sky. The character 梯 looks like a series of steps leading upwards, with the radical 木 (wood) suggesting that it is made of wooden rungs.
Meanings of 梯
tī(ti1)
1ladder
2stairs
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 梯
梯Simplified
11Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#9233Frequency Rank
Podcast: 梯
Podcast: 梯
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AI Study Notes for 梯
Quick Contrast
梯 (tī) vs 台阶 (táijiē) — use 梯 for a ladder or climbing tool, while 台阶 refers specifically to steps or a staircase.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 梯 (tī) with other words for stairs or steps, such as 楼梯 (lóutī), which specifically means staircase. This term is more formal, so it is best used in writing or polite conversation.
HSK Study Tips
While 梯 is not part of the HSK list, it connects to other HSK vocabulary related to movement and structure. Focus on the pronunciation and the context in which you might describe physical elevation or progress.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 梯 interchangeably with 楼梯 (lóutī) without understanding the subtle differences. For example, saying '我需要一个梯去上楼' (I need a ladder to go upstairs) is incorrect; it should be '我需要一个楼梯去上楼'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 梯
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Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 弟 represents the sound.
1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
2The sound half弟 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywood
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 梯? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 梯?
Decomposition of 梯
IDS Structure⿰木弟
梯Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
弟di4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 梯?
How to say ladder in Chinese
“ladder” in Chinese is梯tī
The character 梯 (tī) refers to a ladder or stairs, objects that facilitate climbing to different heights. It is commonly used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as describing a means of advancement or progress in life or work.
When to use 梯
Be careful not to confuse 梯 (tī) with other words for stairs or steps, such as 楼梯 (lóutī), which specifically means staircase. This term is more formal, so it is best used in writing or polite conversation.
梯 or something close to it
梯 (tī) vs 台阶 (táijiē) — use 梯 for a ladder or climbing tool, while 台阶 refers specifically to steps or a staircase.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 梯 interchangeably with 楼梯 (lóutī) without understanding the subtle differences. For example, saying '我需要一个梯去上楼' (I need a ladder to go upstairs) is incorrect; it should be '我需要一个楼梯去上楼'.
Write 梯
梯
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Practice writing 梯 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 梯
梯 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
电____开动了，接着剧烈震颤起来，然后就毫无反应了。
The lift started off, juddered, and went out of action.
Yes, there are different types of 梯 (tī) in Chinese. For example, '楼梯' (lóutī) specifically refers to 'stairs' in a building, while '梯子' (tīzi) refers to a 'ladder.' Understanding these distinctions can help in using the word correctly.
The pronunciation of 梯 is tī, with a first tone in Mandarin Chinese. It is important to note the tone, as mispronunciation can change the meaning of words in Chinese.
梯 (tī) means 'ladder' or 'stairs' in Chinese. It can refer to both a physical ladder used for climbing and the concept of stairs in a building. The character is commonly used in contexts involving elevation or ascent.
You can use 梯 (tī) in sentences like '我需要一把梯子来修屋顶' (Wǒ xūyào yī bǎ tīzi lái xiū wūdǐng), which means 'I need a ladder to fix the roof.' This showcases its use in practical contexts.
It is pronounced as tī, with a high tone.
Yes, there are various types of ladders, like folding ladders or extension ladders, but they all fall under the general term 梯.
Yes, it can be used in expressions related to advancement or progress.
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