阶层

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 社会由不同阶层组成。▶ —
   Society is made up of different strata.
2. 中产阶层不断扩大。▶ —
   The middle stratum keeps expanding.

Collocations

Mnemonic

阶 jiē "steps, rank" + 层 céng "layer, stratum": ranks divided in layers, i.e. a (social) stratum. Same as the Korean word gye-cheung (階層). The various layers into which society is divided by income, occupation, status, etc. (社会阶层 social strata, 中产阶层 the middle stratum). It shares 阶 with 阶级, but 阶层 is more fine-grained and neutral, with a structural, statistical sense as in 阶层流动 (social mobility). 层 means "layer" (楼层, 层次); 阶 means "steps, rank". A milder term than 阶级.

Related

Quick check

1. What is the nuance of 阶层 versus 阶级?

   • a more fine-grained, neutral stratum
   • groups with strong opposition
   • the time of day
   • a sum of money