Meaning and Usage
The word "台阶" (tái jiē) primarily refers to physical steps or stairs, often the kind found outside buildings or in gardens. It is a concrete noun used to describe the individual steps one climbs or descends.
Common Contexts
"台阶" is commonly used when talking about architectural features, especially older or traditional buildings where the steps are prominent. It can also appear in everyday situations where someone is literally stepping up or down.
Collocations and Patterns
- 台阶上 (on the steps): used to describe location or action happening on the steps.
- 走台阶 (walk the steps): describing the action of going up or down steps.
- 台阶破损 (damaged steps): describing the condition of the steps.
Usage Notes
"台阶" is more specific than the general word for stairs (楼梯 lóutī), often implying outdoor or stone steps. It is not used metaphorically in common speech, unlike some other words for steps or stages.
Avoid confusing "台阶" with "楼梯" which usually refers to indoor staircases. "台阶" often has a more solid, outdoor, or architectural nuance.