Definition
阶 is a bound form (b.f.) that never stands alone — it always appears as part of a compound word. Its two core meanings are 'steps/stairs' (in 台阶) and 'rank/level' (in 阶层, 阶级). When you encounter 阶, expect it to be the first or second element of a word that relates to physical or social gradation.
b.f.
(bound form, in 台阶) stepsstairs(bound form, in 阶层/阶级) ranksocial classlevel
Examples
- 。Wǒ zǒu shàng sān céng tái jiē jiù kàn jiàn le dà mén.I walked up three steps of stairs and saw the main gate.
- 。Bù tóng shèhuì jiē céng de rénmen shēnghuó fāngshì bù tóng.People from different social classes have different lifestyles.
- 。Bù tóng jiē céng de rén yǒu bù tóng de fánnǎo.People from different social classes have different worries.
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