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阶 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
阶
jiē
rank or step
HSK 7, n, 6 strokes, radical 阝, rank #18250, Very Hard
阶
jiē
stairs
HSK 7, n, 6 strokes, radical 阝, rank #18250, Very Hard
阶
jiē
stairs, steps; degree, rank
HSK 7, n, 6 strokes, radical 阝, rank #18250, Very Hard
jiē(jie1)jie T1
1rank or step
2stairs
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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#18250DifficultyVery Hard
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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 阶 means.
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.
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.
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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Learning Lab
Knowing 阶 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
阶 = 阝 + 介. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 阶
IDS Structure⿰阝介
阶Full character
=
阝yi4
left
介jie4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 阶?
How to say rank or step in Chinese
“rank or step” in Chinese is阶jiē
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.
When to use 阶
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.
阶 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 阶
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 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 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
接下来的几周将是适应____段。
The next few weeks will be a period of readjustment.
Example sentences for 阶 (10)
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1
接下来的几周将是适应阶段。
jiēxiàlái de jǐ zhōu jiāng shì shìyìng jiēduàn。
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 yōuyuè de zīchǎn jiējí jiātíng jiānchí ràng tā jiēshòu liánghǎo de jiàoyù。
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 hǎijūn zhōng hěnshǎo yǒu shì lì yǎn， jiējí yìshí yě bù jiàng。
There was very little snobbery or class-consciousness in the wartime navy.
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Cultural Notes for 阶
🌏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wúchǎnjiējíproletariat無產階級
阶级jiējí(social) class階級
阶jiēstairs階
阶层jiēcénghierarchy階層
资产阶级zīchǎnjiējíthe capitalist class資產階級
中产阶级zhōngchǎnjiējímiddle class中產階級
阶梯jiētīflight of steps階梯
工人阶级gōngrénjiējíworking class工人階級
阶级斗争jiējídòuzhēngthe class struggle階級鬥爭
现阶段xiànjiēduànat the present stage現階段
阶段性jiēduànxìngin stages階段性
音阶yīnjiēmusical scale音階
工薪阶层gōngxīnjiēcéngsalaried class工薪階層
官阶guānjiēofficial rank官階
石阶shíjiēstone step石階
剥削阶级bōxuējiējíexploiting class (in Marxist theory)剝削階級
小资产阶级xiǎozīchǎnjiējípetty bourgeois小資產階級
阶地jiēdìterrace (geography)階地
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 阶
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).
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