HSK 5, q, 6 strokes, radical 纟, rank #2431, Medium
级
jí
grade
HSK 5, q, 6 strokes, radical 纟, rank #2431, Medium
级
jí
rank
HSK 5, q, 6 strokes, radical 纟, rank #2431, Medium
级
jí
step (of stairs)
HSK 5, q, 6 strokes, radical 纟, rank #2431, Medium
级
jí
>个[gè]
HSK 5, q, 6 strokes, radical 纟, rank #2431, Medium
级
jí
classifier: step, level
HSK 5, q, 6 strokes, radical 纟, rank #2431, Medium
级
jí
level, rank; class, grade
HSK 5, q, 6 strokes, radical 纟, rank #2431, Medium
jí(ji2) T2
1level
2grade
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March 24, 2026
级(級)jí(ji2)
The character 级 (jí) refers to a level, grade, or rank in various contexts, such as educational grades or hierarchical positions. It is commonly used to denote steps in a process or system, like levels in a game or rankings in a competition.
Strokes6Radical纟Frequency#2431DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese education, the concept of levels (级) is crucial, as students are often ranked by their grades in exams, impacting their future educational opportunities. Understanding this word is essential for navigating academic discussions in China.
Memory Tip
Imagine climbing a staircase, where each step symbolizes a different level (级) you reach. The character resembles a staircase with its horizontal stroke at the top representing the first step and the vertical stroke resembling the structure supporting it.
Meanings of 级
jí(ji2)
1level
2grade
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 级
级Simplified
級Traditional
6Strokes
纟Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2431Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 级
Podcast: 级
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AI Study Notes for 级
Quick Contrast
级 (jí) vs 阶 (jiē) — use 级 for specific levels or grades, while 阶 refers to broader stages or steps in a process.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine climbing a staircase, where each step symbolizes a different level (级) you reach. The character resembles a staircase with its horizontal stroke at the top representing the first step and the vertical stroke resembling the structure supporting it.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 级 with other characters like 级别 (jíbié, rank) and 层 (céng, layer), which both relate to levels but in different contexts. It is used in both formal and informal situations, so understanding the context is essential when using it.
HSK Study Tips
级 is typically associated with HSK Level 3 vocabulary, linking it to words related to education and classification, such as 学校 (xuéxiào, school) and 教育 (jiàoyù, education). Students should practice using it in sentences related to school grades or levels.
Cultural Note
In Chinese education, the concept of levels (级) is crucial, as students are often ranked by their grades in exams, impacting their future educational opportunities. Understanding this word is essential for navigating academic discussions in China.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 级 (jí) when they mean 层 (céng) when referring to physical layers, like floors in a building. For example, saying '我住在三级' (Wǒ zhù zài sān jí) instead of '我住在三层' (Wǒ zhù zài sān céng) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 级
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Grammar Patterns of 级
级 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 7 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.
The twins didn't have to repeat their second year at school.
6
她拒绝把科林由“法律顾问”这一低级别往上提。
tā jù jué bǎ kē lín yóu“ “ fǎ lǜ gù” wèn ” zhè yī dī jí bié wǎng。
She refused to promote Colin above the low rank of "legal adviser".
7
他一直感到昏昏沉沉的，这是吃了一顿超级大餐的结果。
tā yī zhí gǎn dào hūn hūn chén chén de， ， zhè shì chī le yī dùn chāo jí dà cān de jié。
He had been feeling drowsy, the effect of an unusually heavy meal.
8
他要求纠正他所声称的不公正的降级这一错误。
tā yào qiú jiū zhèng tā suǒ shēng chēng de bù gōng zhèng de jiàng jí zhè yī cuò wù。
He is seeking redress for what he alleges was an unfair demotion.
9
雪利的兄弟现在在瑞典做心脏外科高级顾问医师。
xuě lì de xiōng dì xiàn zài zài ruì diǎn zuò xīn zāng wài kē gāo jí gù wèn yī shī。
Shirley's brother is now a consultant heart surgeon in Sweden.
10
这些服装中有很多出自世界顶级时装设计公司。
zhè xiē fú zhuāng zhōng yǒu hěn duō chū zì shì jiè dǐng jí shí zhuāng shè jì gōng sī。
Many of the clothes come from the world's top fashion houses.
Cultural Notes for 级
💡Did you know?
The character '级' is often used in educational contexts in China, where students are classified by their grade level. Understanding the grading system is essential for navigating the education system.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese education, the concept of levels (级) is crucial, as students are often ranked by their grades in exams, impacting their future educational opportunities. Understanding this word is essential for navigating academic discussions in China.
Word Family of 级
Words Containing This Character20
级jílevel級
超级chāojísuper-超級
高级gāojíhigh level高級
年级niánjígrade年級
升级shēngjíto be promoted升級
晋级promotion晉級
各级all levels各級
级别jíbiélevel級別
等级děngjígrade等級
上级shàngjísuperiors上級
无产阶级proletariat無產階級
阶级jiējí(social) class階級
顶级dǐngjítop-notch頂級
资产阶级the capitalist class資產階級
一级first class一級
重量级zhòngliàngjíheavyweight (boxing etc)重量級
低级low level低級
省级(administrative) province-level省級
初级chūjíjunior初級
班级bānjígrade (in school)班級
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 级 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 级
级 (jí) generally refers to a level or grade, while 等级 (děngjí) specifically means 'rank' or 'class' and often implies a comparative assessment between different levels. For instance, 等级 is commonly used in contexts like product quality or hierarchical structures, whereas 级 can be more neutral and used in various contexts.
In educational contexts, 级 (jí) is used to denote different grades or levels of schooling. For example, students may refer to their class level as '一年级' (yī niánjí) for first grade or '三年级' (sān niánjí) for third grade. It helps in organizing students based on their learning stages.
级 (jí) means 'level' or 'grade' in Chinese. It is often used to describe a ranking or a step in a process, such as educational levels or stages of achievement. Additionally, it can refer to a classifier for steps or levels.
You can use 级 (jí) to describe someone's educational attainment, such as '他是二级学生' (tā shì èr jí xuéshēng) meaning 'He is a second-grade student.' It can also be used to refer to levels in a game or skill progression, like '这个游戏有五个级别' (zhège yóuxì yǒu wǔ gè jíbié), which translates to 'This game has five levels.'
You can say '我在三年级' (Wǒ zài sān niánjí), meaning 'I am in the third grade.'
Yes, 级 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more commonly found in formal writing, especially when discussing education or rankings.
Common phrases include 级别 (jíbié, level/rank) and 年级 (niánjí, grade/year in school).
