高级

• Pinyin: gāo jí
• Hanzi breakdown: 高 = pictograph of a tall building; 级 = 纟(silk) + 及 (reach)

Meaning

High-level; advanced; high-end. Describes something of superior quality or rank.

Used for products (luxury/premium), skills (advanced level), and positions (senior rank). In everyday speech, often used to describe restaurants, hotels, or goods that are upscale.

Examples

1. 这是一家高级餐厅。 This is a high-end restaurant.
2. 她在学高级汉语。 She is studying advanced Chinese.
3. 这个牌子的东西都很高级。 Everything from this brand is very premium.

Usage Guide

Context: describing quality, education levels, products

Tone: descriptive, appreciative

Do Say

• 这是一款高级手机。(This is a high-end phone.)
• 他住在高级公寓里。(He lives in a luxury apartment.)

Don't Say

• 不要用高级形容人的性格 — 高级 describes products, levels, and ranks, not personality traits. To say someone is sophisticated, use 有品位.

Origin & History

Compound of 高 (high, tall) and 级 (level, grade), meaning 'high grade' or 'high level.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal