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March 24, 2026
阶(堦)jiē(jie1)
The character 阶 (jiē) primarily refers to steps or stairs, often indicating a physical ascent or descent. It can also denote ranks or levels in a hierarchy, such as social or professional standings. In contexts like education or business, it signifies degrees or stages of progress.
Strokes6Radical阝Frequency#18250DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of '阶级' (social class) is significant, reflecting historical class struggles and the importance of social hierarchy in traditional society. This notion is still relevant in discussions about modern societal structures.
Memory Tip
Imagine a grand staircase leading to success, where each step represents a '阶' (jiē) in your life. The character 阶 has a roof (阝) symbolizing shelter or stability, and the '阶' resembles a staircase, reminding you of the steps you take upward.
Meanings of 阶
jiē(jie1)
1rank or step
2stairs
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 阶
阶Simplified
堦Traditional
6Strokes
阝Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#18250Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 阶
Podcast: 阶
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AI Study Notes for 阶
Quick Contrast
阶级 (jiējí) vs 阶段 (jiēduàn) — use 阶 when referring specifically to steps or ranks, while 阶段 refers to stages in a process.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a grand staircase leading to success, where each step represents a '阶' (jiē) in your life. The character 阶 has a roof (阝) symbolizing shelter or stability, and the '阶' resembles a staircase, reminding you of the steps you take upward.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the pronunciation; it should always be pronounced as 'jiē' in this context. This character often appears in phrases like '阶梯' (jiētī, ladder) and '阶级' (jiējí, class or rank). Avoid confusing it with 階 (jiē), which is a variant form.
HSK Study Tips
Although 阶 is not a standard HSK word, it connects to HSK vocabulary related to levels and degrees, such as '级' (jí, level) and '等级' (děngjí, grade). Focus on recognizing the character in compound words to enhance comprehension.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of '阶级' (social class) is significant, reflecting historical class struggles and the importance of social hierarchy in traditional society. This notion is still relevant in discussions about modern societal structures.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 阶 with 階 due to their similar meanings. Always use 阶 when discussing modern contexts and steps, while reserving 階 for traditional discussions or texts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 阶
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Grammar Patterns of 阶
阶 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 4 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 4
Complete the Sentence
接下来的几周将是适应____段。
The next few weeks will be a period of readjustment.
"Well," I said, grinding my cigarette nervously into the granite step.
9
他那优越的资产阶级家庭坚持让他接受良好的教育。
tā nà yōu yuè de zī chǎn jiē jí jiā tíng jiān chí ràng tā jiē shòu liáng hǎo de jiào yù。
His privileged bourgeois family insisted on a good education.
10
战时的海军中很少有势利眼，阶级意识也不强。
zhàn shí de hǎi jūn zhōng hěn shǎo yǒu shì lì yǎn， ， jiē jí yì shí yě bù。
There was very little snobbery or class-consciousness in the wartime navy.
Cultural Notes for 阶
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of '阶级' (social class) is significant, reflecting historical class struggles and the importance of social hierarchy in traditional society. This notion is still relevant in discussions about modern societal structures.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
The idea of social or professional ranks is more hierarchical in Chinese culture compared to many Western cultures, where there is often more emphasis on egalitarianism.
Word Family of 阶
Words Containing This Character20
阶段jiēduànstage階段
台阶táijiēsteps臺階
无产阶级proletariat無產階級
阶级jiējí(social) class階級
阶jiēstairs階
阶层jiēcénghierarchy階層
资产阶级the capitalist class資產階級
中产阶级middle class中產階級
阶梯jiētīflight of steps階梯
工人阶级working class工人階級
阶级斗争the class struggle階級鬥爭
现阶段at the present stage現階段
阶段性in stages階段性
音阶musical scale音階
工薪阶层salaried class工薪階層
官阶official rank官階
石阶stone step石階
剥削阶级exploiting class (in Marxist theory)剝削階級
小资产阶级petty bourgeois小資產階級
阶地terrace (geography)階地
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 阶段 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 阶
阶 (jiē) is a simplified form, while 階 (jiē) is the traditional form, both meaning steps or ranks.
Yes, it is used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing levels or steps.
Common phrases include '阶梯' (ladder) and '阶级' (social class).
