阶段

• Pinyin: jiē duàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 阶 = 阝(hill) + 介 (between) — steps, stairs; 段 = 殳 (weapon) + 殳 — a section or segment

Meaning

Stage; phase; period. A distinct period or step within a larger process or development.

Commonly used in discussions about projects, life stages, historical periods, and progress. Collocations include 初级阶段 (beginner stage), 发展阶段 (development phase), 现阶段 (current stage), and 过渡阶段 (transitional period). More formal than 时期 (period) and implies a defined step in a progression.

Examples

1. 这个项目现在进入了最后一个阶段。 This project has now entered its final stage.
2. 学中文有不同的阶段，每个阶段都有不同的挑战。 Learning Chinese has different stages, and each stage has different challenges.
3. 孩子在成长的每个阶段都需要父母的关心。 Children need their parents' care at every stage of growing up.

Usage Guide

Context: projects, education, life stages

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我们现在处于什么阶段？(What stage are we at now?)
• 初级阶段的学生应该多练习发音。(Students at the beginner stage should practice pronunciation more.)

Don't Say

• 我今天有一个很忙的阶段 (Don't use 阶段 for a busy period within a single day — use 时间段 or 时候; 阶段 implies a longer, more significant phase)

Origin & History

A compound of 阶 (steps/stairs) and 段 (section/segment), together suggesting a step or section within a larger progression.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal