Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== jiēduàn: 阶段 - Stage, Phase, Period ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** jieduan, 阶段, Chinese word for phase, stage in Chinese, period of time Chinese, what does jieduan mean, Chinese project management, stages of development, HSK 4 vocabulary. * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese noun **阶段 (jiēduàn)**, which means "stage" or "phase." This page breaks down how to use `阶段` to describe distinct periods within a larger process, from project management and learning Chinese to personal life and historical development. Discover its cultural significance and see how it's used in 10 practical example sentences. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jiēduàn * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** A stage, phase, or period of a process or development. * **In a Nutshell:** `阶段` is used to divide a long journey, project, or process into manageable, distinct parts. Think of it as a chapter in a book, a level in a video game, or a milestone in a project plan. It implies a structured progression from one defined segment to the next. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **阶 (jiē):** This character originally depicted "stairs" or "steps." It carries the idea of ascending, rank, or progressing step-by-step. * **段 (duàn):** This character means a "segment," "section," or "paragraph." It suggests a distinct and defined portion of a larger whole. * When combined, **阶段 (jiēduàn)** literally means a "step-segment." This perfectly captures the concept of a specific stage you reach after completing a series of steps in a larger process. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== The term `阶段` reflects a cultural perspective that values structured progress and long-term planning. In many aspects of Chinese life—from education to career paths to national policy—there is a strong emphasis on moving through well-defined stages. Compared to the English word "phase," `阶段` feels more formal and less whimsical. An American might say, "My son is going through a rebellious phase." While you *can* use `阶段` here, it sounds more like a formal developmental stage. `阶段` is less about a passing mood and more about a recognized, often necessary, step in a larger, objective process. For example, the famous political term `社会主义初级阶段 (shèhuìzhǔyì chūjí jiēduàn)` or "the primary stage of socialism," frames national development as a long, structured journey with clear, planned stages, which is a very different feeling from a "phase" a country might be "going through." ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== `阶段` is a very common and versatile word used in both formal and informal contexts. * **Business and Projects:** It's fundamental in project management to talk about `项目的第一阶段 (the first phase of the project)` or `测试阶段 (the testing phase)`. * **Education and Learning:** Students talk about their `学习阶段 (learning stage)`, such as the `初级阶段 (beginner stage)` or `高级阶段 (advanced stage)`. * **Personal Life:** It can be used to describe life stages like `童年阶段 (childhood stage)` or the stages of a romantic relationship. A common question might be: `我们现在处于暧昧阶段。(Wǒmen xiànzài chǔyú àimèi jiēduàn.)` - "We are in the ambiguous/flirting stage right now." * **History and Politics:** It is used to delineate historical periods or policy phases, as seen in the "primary stage of socialism" example above. The connotation is neutral, simply describing a segment of a process without inherent positive or negative judgment. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 我们项目的第一个**阶段**已经顺利完成了。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen xiàngmù de dì yī gè **jiēduàn** yǐjīng shùnlì wánchéng le. * English: The first stage of our project has been successfully completed. * Analysis: A classic example from a business or work context. `阶段` clearly defines a project milestone. * **Example 2:** * 学习中文的初级**阶段**，发音和声调是最重要的。 * Pinyin: Xuéxí Zhōngwén de chūjí **jiēduàn**, fāyīn hé shēngdiào shì zuì zhòngyào de. * English: In the beginner stage of learning Chinese, pronunciation and tones are the most important. * Analysis: This sentence uses `阶段` to describe a period of learning. `初级 (chūjí)` meaning "primary" or "beginner" is a common adjective for `阶段`. * **Example 3:** * 每个孩子在成长过程中都会经历不同的发展**阶段**。 * Pinyin: Měi gè háizi zài chéngzhǎng guòchéng zhōng dōu huì jīnglì bùtóng de fāzhǎn **jiēduàn**. * English: Every child goes through different developmental stages during their growth process. * Analysis: Here, `阶段` refers to the scientifically or psychologically defined stages of child development. It feels formal and objective. * **Example 4:** * 我们公司的发展进入了一个新的**阶段**。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī de fāzhǎn jìnrù le yī gè xīn de **jiēduàn**. * English: Our company's development has entered a new stage. * Analysis: This is a common phrase to signal a major change or progress for an organization. * **Example 5:** * 这只是一个过渡**阶段**，情况很快会好起来的。 * Pinyin: Zhè zhǐshì yī gè guòdù **jiēduàn**, qíngkuàng hěn kuài huì hǎo qǐlái de. * English: This is just a transitional period; things will get better soon. * Analysis: `过渡阶段 (guòdù jiēduàn)` is a very useful set phrase meaning "transitional stage/period." It's used to reassure someone during a difficult time. * **Example 6:** * 在目前这个**阶段**，我们应该专注于市场调研。 * Pinyin: Zài mùqián zhè gè **jiēduàn**, wǒmen yīnggāi zhuānzhù yú shìchǎng diàoyán. * English: At this current stage, we should focus on market research. * Analysis: This sentence shows how to use `阶段` to talk about current priorities within a larger plan. * **Example 7:** * 他们的关系还处于早期**阶段**，还不稳定。 * Pinyin: Tāmen de guānxì hái chǔyú zǎoqī **jiēduàn**, hái bù wěndìng. * English: Their relationship is still in the early stages; it's not stable yet. * Analysis: `阶段` is often used to describe the progression of a romantic relationship, from `早期阶段 (early stage)` to `稳定阶段 (stable stage)`. * **Example 8:** * 这个问题的解决需要分几个**阶段**进行。 * Pinyin: Zhè gè wèntí de jiějué xūyào fēn jǐ gè **jiēduàn** jìnxíng. * English: The solution to this problem needs to be carried out in several stages. * Analysis: This highlights the function of `阶段` in breaking down a complex task into sequential parts. * **Example 9:** * 你认为我们下一**阶段**的目标应该是什么？ * Pinyin: Nǐ rènwéi wǒmen xià yī **jiēduàn** de mùbiāo yīnggāi shì shénme? * English: What do you think our goal for the next stage should be? * Analysis: A great question for planning meetings. `下一阶段 (xià yī jiēduàn)` means "the next stage." * **Example 10:** * 从历史的角度看，中国正处在一个非常关键的**阶段**。 * Pinyin: Cóng lìshǐ de jiǎodù kàn, Zhōngguó zhèng chǔzài yī gè fēicháng guānjiàn de **jiēduàn**. * English: From a historical perspective, China is at a very crucial stage. * Analysis: This shows the use of `阶段` on a grand, macroeconomic or historical scale. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== A common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing `阶段` from similar-sounding words. * **`阶段 (jiēduàn)` vs. `时期 (shíqī)`:** * **`阶段`** refers to a *part of a process*. It's a structured segment with a clear start and end, leading to the next segment. Think: Project Phase 1, Project Phase 2. * **`时期 (shíqī)`** refers to a *period of time*, often longer and less defined by a specific process. It's frequently used for historical eras (e.g., `战国时期 - Warring States Period`) or general life periods (e.g., `少年时期 - youth period`). * **Mistake:** Saying `项目的第一个时期` (the first period of the project) sounds unnatural. You should say `项目的第一个**阶段**`. * **`阶段 (jiēduàn)` vs. `步骤 (bùzhòu)`:** * **`阶段`** is the broad phase or stage. * **`步骤 (bùzhòu)`** means "step" or "procedure." It refers to the individual actions *within* a stage. * **Example:** The first `阶段` (stage) of baking a cake involves several `步骤` (steps): mixing the flour, adding sugar, and beating the eggs. You wouldn't say "the first step of the project is the design stage." ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[时期]] (shíqī) - A period of time, often historical or a general era. Broader and less process-oriented than `阶段`. * [[过程]] (guòchéng) - Process, course. A `阶段` is a segment of a `过程`. * [[步骤]] (bùzhòu) - Step, procedure. The specific actions taken to complete a `阶段`. * [[里程碑]] (lǐchéngbēi) - Milestone. A significant event that often marks the successful completion of a `阶段`. * [[期间]] (qījiān) - Period, duration. Emphasizes the time //during which// something happens, often used with events (e.g., `在会议期间` - during the meeting). * [[水平]] (shuǐpíng) - Level, standard. Often the goal or result of successfully completing a learning `阶段`. * [[初级]] (chūjí) - Elementary, primary. An adjective frequently paired with `阶段` (e.g., `初级阶段`). * [[高级]] (gāojí) - Advanced, high-level. The opposite of `初级`, also paired with `阶段`. * [[过渡]] (guòdù) - To transition. Used to form the common term `过渡阶段` (transitional stage).