Japanese word

階

Pronunciation

Romajikai

Meaning

  • nounfloor

Example

受付は一階です。uke tsuke wa ichi kai de su

The reception desk is on the first floor.

Illustration for 階 (floor)

More examples

この建物は五階まであります。ko no tate mono wa go kai ma de a ri ma su

This building has five floors.

Core concept

Identifies a distinct level in a building so that rooms can be located vertically.

Common phrases

  • 一階ik kai

    first floor

  • 二階ni kai

    second floor

  • 何階nan kai

    what floor

Similar words

フロアfuroa: A level of a building, often viewed as a space for activities or rooms.

Definition in Japanese

建物の中で、上下に重なった平面空間の一つ。tate mono no naka de jō ge ni kasa na tta hei men kū kan no hito tsu

Word origin

階 (kai, "floor; level") is a Sino-Japanese word from Chinese 階 (jiē), a character associated first with steps and then with the levels reached by them.

Usage tips

  • Japanese uses 階 (kai) after a number to name a floor, but its sound changes in forms such as 三階 (sangai), meaning third floor.

Word lists with this word