Chinese word

阶级

Pronunciation

Pinyinjiē jí

Meaning

  • nounsocial class

Example

我们讨论社会阶级差别。wǒ men tǎo lùn shè huì jiē jí chā bié

We discuss differences between social classes.

Illustration for 阶级 (social class)

More examples

改革有助于打破阶级固化。gǎi gé yǒu zhù yú dǎ pò jiē jí gù huà

Reforms help break down class entrenchment.

Core concept

A set of social levels that places groups of people according to their position and access to resources.

Common phrases

  • 阶级利益jiē jí lì yì

    class interests

  • 阶级差别jiē jí chā bié

    class differences

  • 阶级划分jiē jí huà fēn

    class divisions

Similar words

阶层jiē céng: A social stratum made up of people with similar living conditions or positions.
地位dì wèi: A person's position and level of regard within a society or organization.
等级děng jí: A rank or level in an ordered series or hierarchy.
级别jí bié: A rank or grade assigned by a job, qualification, or similar standard.

Definition in Chinese

按社会地位、财富或权力把人分成的层次或群体。àn shè huì dì wèi cái fù huò quán lì bǎ rén fēn chéng de céng cì huò qún tǐ

Word origin

阶 (jiē, "step") suggests a rise from one level to another, while 级 (jí, "rank") marks an ordered category, together forming a word for social levels.

Usage tips

  • The word describes a broad group rather than one person's position, so it fits discussions of social structure more naturally than casual comments about individual status.

Other meanings

  • social stratumnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 阶级固化jiē jí gù huàclass entrenchmentnoun
  • 阶级斗争jiē jí dòu zhēngclass strugglenoun

Word lists with this word