Chinese Character: 级
1. Character Basics
Radical: 纟/silk radical
Stroke Count: 6
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: jí
3. Meaning
level, grade, rank, step
4. Common Words
- 年级 (nián jí) - grade (in school)
- 级别 (jí bié) - level, rank
- 高级 (gāo jí) - advanced, high level
- 初级 (chū jí) - elementary, beginner level
- 升级 (shēng jí) - to upgrade, to promote
- 等级 (děng jí) - grade, class, rank
5. Grammar & Usage
"级" is primarily used as a noun to indicate levels, grades, or ranks in various contexts. It is often combined with numbers or adjectives to specify the degree or position.
Common usage patterns:
- 第一级 (dì yī jí) - level one, first grade
- 高级工程师 (gāo jí gōng chéng shī) - senior engineer
- 三级甲等 (sān jí jiǎ děng) - grade three, class A (medical classification)
- 评级 (píng jí) - to rate, to evaluate a level
In educational contexts, it's commonly used to refer to school grades, while in professional settings, it can indicate job ranks or skill levels.
6. Cultural Background
The character "级" originally referred to the threads in silk fabric, which were arranged in levels or layers. This association with ordered layers evolved to its current meaning of levels, grades, or ranks.
In Chinese society, the concept of levels and hierarchy is deeply ingrained, and "级" is a fundamental character used to express these distinctions. It is used in educational systems, workplaces, social settings, and even in everyday objects like buildings (where it can refer to floors or stories).
The use of "级" reflects the importance of structure and order in Chinese culture, as well as the value placed on achievement and progression through different levels of mastery or status.
7. Example Sentence
他今年上三年级。
Pronunciation: Tā jīn nián shàng sān nián jí.
Translation: He is in third grade this year.
8. Memory Tips
Remember "级" by breaking it down into its components:
- Left side: "纟" (silk radical) - related to threads or fibers
- Right side: "及" (jí) - which means "to reach" or "as well as"
- Think of the threads in silk fabric arranged in levels or layers, which connects to the character's meaning of levels or grades
You can also associate it with common educational contexts, like "年级" (nián jí - school grade), which is a term you might frequently encounter when discussing education in Chinese.
The character's structure itself has a sense of progression from left to right, which mirrors its meaning of levels or steps.