What does 階 mean in Japanese?
階 means “floor, level” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 階 (floor), 一階 (first floor), and 二階 (second floor).
For learners, the key is to study 階 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji.
Reading
On’yomi: カイ (kai)
Kun’yomi: —
Basic Information
| Kanji | 階 |
|---|
How to Understand This Kanji
階 is not limited to one English translation. In 階 (かい), it means floor; in 一階 (いっかい), it points to first floor; and in 二階 (にかい), it is used for second floor. Reading these compounds side by side helps you understand the range of the kanji.
Common Words
- 階（かい / kai） — floor
- 一階（いっかい / ikkai） — first floor
- 二階（にかい / nikai） — second floor
- 階段（かいだん / kaidan） — stairs
- 地下階（ちかかい / chikakai） — basement floor
- 段階（だんかい / dankai） — stage; phase
Example Sentences
-
教室は二階にあります。
きょうしつはにかいにあります。 / Kyōshitsu wa ni-kai ni arimasu.
The classroom is on the second floor.
-
一階で待っています。
いっかいでまっています。 / Ikkai de matte imasu.
I am waiting on the first floor.
-
階段をゆっくり上りました。
かいだんをゆっくりのぼりました。 / Kaidan o yukkuri noborimashita.
I went up the stairs slowly.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
Start with 階 (かい / kai) because it keeps the core meaning of 階 clear. Then add 一階 and 二階 to see how the reading and meaning shift in real vocabulary. Do not memorize 階 as a single English word; connect it to actual words and example sentences.
Summary
階 means “floor, level” and appears in useful Japanese words such as 階, 一階, and 二階.