What does 台阶 mean in Chinese?

台阶 (tái jiē) means "steps; flight of steps; step (over obstacle); fig. way out of an embarrassing situation; bench (geology)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 5.

How do you pronounce 台阶?

台阶 is pronounced "tái jiē" in Mandarin Chinese. It is made up of 2 syllables.

What HSK level is 台阶?

台阶 is an HSK 5 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 5 on both the old and the new exam.

What characters make up 台阶?

台阶 is made up of the characters 台, 阶. Each character has its own meaning and can appear in other words.

How do you write 台阶?

You can practice writing 台阶 using our stroke order tool.

台阶 (tái jiē), steps

台阶

tái jiē

steps; flight of steps; step (over obstacle); fig. way out of an embarrassing situation

HSK 5

Traditional: 臺階

Characters in This Word

台阶

Definitions

steps
flight of steps
step (over obstacle)
fig. way out of an embarrassing situation
bench (geology)

Example Sentences

从山脚到山顶一共有九百九十九级台阶，爬上去需要很大的体力。

Cóng shānjiǎo dào shāndǐng yígòng yǒu jiǔbǎi jiǔshíjiǔ jí táijiē, pá shàngqu xūyào hěn dà de tǐlì

There are a total of 999 steps from the foot to the top of the mountain, climbing up requires great physical strength

→

步武(bù wǔ)· to walk in someone's steps

→

阶梯(jiē tī)· flight of steps

→

三脚两步(sān jiǎo liǎng bù)· hurriedly

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 5
HSK 2.0: HSK 5
HSK Lord study list: HSK 4 list

台阶: HSK 5 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 5 exam

Studying for HSK 5? Keep 台阶 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each word comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

台阶