初级

• Pinyin: chū jí
• Hanzi breakdown: 初 = meaning beginning; 级 = 纟(silk) + 及 (to reach), meaning level or grade

Meaning

Elementary; primary; beginner-level. The lowest or starting level in a graded system.

Used to describe the first or most basic level of learning, certification, or classification. Common in education and training contexts: 初级班 (beginner class), 初级水平 (elementary level), 初级阶段 (initial stage). The progression is typically 初级 → 中级 → 高级.

Examples

1. 这本书是给初级学生用的。 This book is for beginner-level students.
2. 他刚通过了初级日语考试。 He just passed the elementary Japanese exam.
3. 我们公司正处于发展的初级阶段。 Our company is at the initial stage of development.

Usage Guide

Context: education, certification, training

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你应该从初级课程开始学起。(You should start learning from the beginner course.)
• 她已经不是初级水平了。(She is no longer at the beginner level.)

Don't Say

• 初级的专家 (Don't combine 初级 with 专家 — an expert cannot be beginner-level; say 初级人员 for a junior staff member)

Origin & History

Compound of 初 (beginning, initial) and 级 (level, grade), literally meaning 'beginning level.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal