阶梯

• Pinyin: jiē tī
• Hanzi breakdown: 阶 = steps, rank; 梯 = 木 (wood) + 弟 (younger brother, phonetic) — ladder

Meaning

Steps; ladder; tier. A series of steps or stages, literal or figurative.

Literally refers to a staircase or ladder. Figuratively describes progressive stages or levels, such as tiered pricing (阶梯电价), career ladders, or educational progression. Emphasizes the idea of gradual, step-by-step advancement.

Examples

1. 他把每一次失败都当作通往成功的阶梯。 He treats every failure as a stepping stone toward success.
2. 很多城市开始实行阶梯水价，用水越多单价越高。 Many cities have begun implementing tiered water pricing, where the more you use, the higher the unit price.
3. 这栋老建筑的石阶梯已经被岁月磨得光滑了。 The stone steps of this old building have been worn smooth by time.

Usage Guide

Context: education, pricing, career, architecture

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 阶梯教室可以容纳五百人。(The lecture hall can accommodate five hundred people.)
• 阶梯式收费更加公平合理。(Tiered pricing is more fair and reasonable.)

Don't Say

• 用'阶梯'代替'电梯' (Don't confuse 阶梯 with 电梯 — 阶梯 is stairs/ladder, 电梯 is elevator)

Origin & History

Composed of 阶 (step; stage) + 梯 (ladder; stairs). Both components relate to steps or climbing, reinforcing the meaning of graduated levels.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal