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级别 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
级别jíbié(military) rankHSK 7, n, rank #5089, Hard
级别jíbiélevelHSK 7, n, rank #5089, Hard
级别jíbiégradeHSK 7, n, rank #5089, Hard
jíbié(ji2bie2) T2
  1. 1(military) rank
  2. 2level
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March 24, 2026
级别(級別)jíbié(ji2bie2)

级别 (jíbié) refers to a rank, level, or grade within a hierarchy, often used in contexts such as military, education, or organizational structures. It indicates the position or status of an individual or item relative to others. The term emphasizes the relative nature of ranking and can be applied in both formal and informal settings.

Frequency#5089DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, ranks and levels hold significant importance, particularly in the military and workplace. The concept of hierarchy is deeply ingrained in societal interactions, often influencing how respect and authority are perceived and enacted.

Memory Tip

Imagine a ladder with different rungs, each representing a level or rank. The character 级 (jí) resembles a platform on the ladder, while 别 (bié) sounds like 'bie,' which you can think of as 'be different' at each level. Picture yourself climbing this ladder, with each step representing a different grade in your journey.

Meanings of 级别

jíbié(ji2bie2)
1(military) rank
2level
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 级别

级别Simplified
級別Traditional
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5089Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 级别

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Podcast: 级别

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AI Study Notes for 级别

Quick Contrast

等级 (děngjí) - use 级别 (jíbié) when emphasizing rank within a hierarchy, while 等级 (děngjí) often refers to a classification or grading system.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a ladder with different rungs, each representing a level or rank. The character 级 (jí) resembles a platform on the ladder, while 别 (bié) sounds like 'bie,' which you can think of as 'be different' at each level. Picture yourself climbing this ladder, with each step representing a different grade in your journey.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 级别 (jíbié) with other words that denote levels, such as 级 (jí) alone, which may imply only 'level' without the nuance of hierarchy. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, so adjust your language accordingly. Common collocations include '级别提升' (upgrade in rank) or '安全级别' (level of safety).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 vocabulary word, 级别 (jíbié) connects with other advanced terms related to hierarchy and classification. Students should focus on understanding its usage in military, educational, and corporate contexts, as well as its relationship with related terms like '等级' (dengjì) meaning 'level' or 'grade'.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, ranks and levels hold significant importance, particularly in the military and workplace. The concept of hierarchy is deeply ingrained in societal interactions, often influencing how respect and authority are perceived and enacted.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 级别 (jíbié) with 级 (jí), which only refers to 'level' without the hierarchical implication. For example, saying '我在这个级' (wǒ zài zhège jí) instead of '我在这个级别' (wǒ zài zhège jíbié) can lead to ambiguity about your rank.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 级别

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Component Characters

level
HSK 56 strokes
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biéto leave
HSK 27 strokes
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Write 级别

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Grammar Patterns of 级别

级别 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

她拒绝把科林由“法律顾问”这一低____往上提。

She refused to promote Colin above the low rank of "legal adviser".

Example Sentences for 级别 (8)

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1
她拒绝把科林由“法律顾问”这一低级别往上提。

tā jù jué bǎ kē lín yóu“ “ fǎ lǜ gù” wèn ” zhè yī dī jí bié wǎng。

She refused to promote Colin above the low rank of "legal adviser".
2
在当天最高级别的赛马中有18匹马参加。

zài dāng tiān zuì gāo jí bié de sài mǎ zhōng yǒu18 18 pǐ mǎ cān。

There are 18 runners in the top race of the day.
3
这两家伦敦的俱乐部是该级别里仅存的保持不败的球队。

zhè liǎng jiā lún dūn de jù lè bù shì gāi jí bié lǐ jǐn cún de bǎo chí bù bài de qiú duì。

The two London clubs are the only undefeated teams in the division.
4
那意味着至少理论上他比他们级别高。

nà yì wèi zháo zhì shǎo lǐ lùn shàng tā bǐ tā mén jí bié gāo。

That meant that he, notionally at least, outranked them all.
5
陆军中校比少校级别高.

lù jūn zhōng xiào bǐ shǎo xiào jí bié gāo.

A lieutenant colonel ranks above a major.
6
上校比上尉的级别高三级.

shàng xiào bǐ shàng wèi de jí bié gāo sān jí.

A colonel is three steps above a captain.
7
在部队里级别越高,最后就越有可能去做文职工作。

zài bù duì lǐ jí bié yuè gāo, , zuì hòu jiù yuè yǒu kě néng qù zuò wén zhí gōng。

The more senior you become in the forces, the more likely you are to end up in a desk job.
8
在舰船上,级别最低的副舰长也位列级别最高的轮机官之上。

zài jiàn chuán shàng, , jí bié zuì dī de fù jiàn cháng yě wèi liè jí bié zuì gāo de lún jī guān zhī。

The most junior executive officer outranked the senior engineer officer aboard ship.

Cultural Notes for 级别

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, ranks and levels hold significant importance, particularly in the military and workplace. The concept of hierarchy is deeply ingrained in societal interactions, often influencing how respect and authority are perceived and enacted.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, while ranks and levels exist, there is often a greater emphasis on egalitarianism compared to the rigid hierarchical structures commonly observed in Chinese culture.

Frequently Asked Questions about 级别

Yes, it can be used to describe someone's rank or level in various contexts, such as job titles or educational achievements.