初级 (chū jí) means 'elementary, primary' as the first level in a graded system (e.g., 初级班 'beginner class'). It contrasts with 基本 (jī běn) 'basic, fundamental', which describes essential content rather than a level, and 初等 (chū děng) 'elementary', a more formal term used for school levels (e.g., 初等教育 'elementary education').