階
階·floor, story, stage
- On-yomi
- カイ
- Kun-yomi
- none
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 一階 | いっかい | first floor, ground floor |
| 階段 | かいだん | stairs |
| 何階 | なんがい | which floor |
| 段階 | だんかい | stage, phase |
Example sentences
食堂は一階にあります。
しょくどうはいっかいにあります。
The cafeteria is on the ground floor.
エレベーターは込んでいるので階段を使います。
えれべーたーはこんでいるのでかいだんをつかいます。
The lift is crowded, so I'll take the stairs.
計画はまだ最初の段階です。
けいかくはまださいしょのだんかいです。
The plan is still at its first stage.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 何階 as *なんかい — in this counter it voices to なんがい (and なんかい also means 'how many times', 何回)
- Forgetting 三階 is さんがい and 一階 is いっかい
Memory aid
Picture it
A hill (阝) climbed by everyone (皆) — steps and floors you go up level by level.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 3 of 5
What does the kanji 階 mean?