Readings: カイ (Onyomi), きざはし (Kunyomi)
Meaning: floor, story, stairs, rank, grade
形声文字 (Phonetic-semantic compound). From 阝 (hill, mound) and 旨 (phonetic element, originally referring to steps or tiers). Represents steps or stairs on a hillside, leading to meanings like floor, level, or rank.
View JLPT N2 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 階 has 12 strokes. It starts with the radical 阜 (こざとへん) on the left, followed by the right component. Pay attention to the correct order and direction of each stroke to ensure proper formation.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 阜 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 12 |
| JLPT Level | N2 |
| Grade | 4 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- カイ (KAI)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- きざはし (kizahashi)
Common Words Using 階
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 階段 | かいだん | stairs, stairway |
| 段階 | だんかい | stage, phase, step |
| 階級 | かいきゅう | class, rank, grade |
| 一階 | いっかい | first floor |
| 二階 | にかい | second floor |
| 地下階 | ちかかい | basement floor |
| 階層 | かいそう | layer, stratum, social class |
| 各階 | かくかい | each floor |
| 最上階 | さいじょうかい | top floor |
| 高層階 | こうそうかい | upper floor (of a tall building) |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| きざはし | きざはし | (archaic) stairs, steps. This reading is very uncommon in modern Japanese. |
Example Sentences
Japanese: このビルは十階建てです。
Kana: このビルはじゅっかいだてです。
Romaji: Kono biru wa jukkai-date desu.
English: This building has ten stories.
Japanese: 階段を上って二階へ行きました。
Kana: かいだんをのぼってにかいへいきました。
Romaji: Kaidan o nobottte nikai e ikimashita.
English: I went up the stairs to the second floor.
Japanese: 彼の話は次の段階に進んだ。
Kana: かれのはなしはつぎのだんかいにすすんだ。
Romaji: Kare no hanashi wa tsugi no dankai ni susunda.
English: His story progressed to the next stage.
Japanese: 社会には様々な階級がある。
Kana: しゃかいにはさまざまなかいきゅうがある。
Romaji: Shakai ni wa samazama na kaikyū ga aru.
English: There are various classes in society.
Japanese: エレベーターで五階まで上がった。
Kana: エレベーターでごかいまであがった。
Romaji: Erebētā de gokai made agatta.
English: I went up to the fifth floor by elevator.
Japanese: デパートの各階にトイレがあります。
Kana: デパートのかくかいにトイレがあります。
Romaji: Depāto no kakukai ni toire ga arimasu.
English: There are restrooms on each floor of the department store.
Japanese: 地下二階に駐車場があります。
Kana: ちかにかいにちゅうしゃじょうがあります。
Romaji: Chika nikai ni chūshajō ga arimasu.
English: There is a parking lot on the second basement floor.
Japanese: 彼は会社で部長の階級にいる。
Kana: かれはかいしゃでぶちょうのかいきゅうにいる。
Romaji: Kare wa kaisha de buchō no kaikyū ni iru.
English: He holds the rank of department head in the company.
Japanese: このマンションは高層階からの眺めが良い。
Kana: このマンションはこうそうかいからのながめがよい。
Romaji: Kono manshon wa kōsōkai kara no nagame ga yoi.
English: This apartment has a good view from the upper floors.
Japanese: 彼女は人生の次の段階へと進む。
Kana: かのじょはじんせいのつぎのだんかいへとすすむ。
Romaji: Kanojo wa jinsei no tsugi no dankai e to susumu.
English: She moves on to the next stage of her life.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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