Definition
级 (jí) is a versatile word for 'level, grade, rank', often used as a suffix in compounds (e.g., 高级, 中级) and as a classifier for steps, levels, or grades. Compared to 等级 (děng jí) and 级别 (jí bié), which are standalone nouns for 'grade/rank', 级 is more compact and commonly appears in fixed terms. As a classifier, it's unique among these synonyms.
noun
levelgraderank
classifier
used for stepslevelsand grades
Measure word · 个
Easily confused
- 极jílook-alikeextremely
- 几jǐsound-alike(interrogative) how many; how much
- 吸xīlook-aliketo inhale, to breathe in
- 季jìsound-alikeseason
- 记jìsound-aliketo remember; to memorize
- 集jísound-alike(noun) collection, anthology, collected works
- 鸡jīsound-alikechicken
- 及jísound-alike(conjunction) and; as well as (used in formal writing to connect nouns or noun phrases)
- 寄jìsound-aliketo send (by mail), to mail, to post
- 急jísound-alike(adjective) urgent; rapid; hurried
Examples
- 级。Zhège lóutī yǒu èrshí jí.This staircase has twenty steps.
- 。Tā de Hànyǔ yǐjīng dádào gāo jí.His Chinese has reached an advanced level.
- 级。Zhège gōngsī de gōngzī yǒu wǔ jí.This company's salary has five grades.
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