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A2 noun 11 دقيقة للقراءة

〜階

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح 〜階 في 30 ثانية

الشرح 〜階 in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners focus on the basic numbers 1 through 10 combined with 〜階. The goal is to be able to identify which floor you are on and ask simple questions like 'Nan-gai desu ka?' (What floor is it?). You learn the phonetic changes for 1, 3, 6, 8, and 10, which are essential for basic survival in Japan. You will mostly use this word in the context of elevators and department stores. The focus is on memorizing the 'ikkai, nikai, sangai' sequence and understanding that the first floor is the ground level. You should be able to say 'Ikkai ni arimasu' (It's on the 1st floor) and understand when someone tells you to go to 'Sankai' (which you will learn to hear as 'sangai').

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the A2 level, you begin to use 〜階 in more descriptive sentences and understand the difference between above-ground and basement floors (地下). You can describe where you live (e.g., 'Manshon no go-kai ni sunde imasu') and follow more complex directions in a building. You also learn to use '〜階建て' to describe the total height of a building. At this level, you should be comfortable using particles like 'de' (for actions on a floor) and 'made' (up to a floor). You start to notice the word in public announcements and can distinguish between 'kai' (floor) and 'kai' (times) based on context and pronunciation (especially the 'sangai' vs 'sankai' distinction).

At the B1 level, you use 〜階 in professional and social contexts with greater fluidity. You can discuss floor plans, real estate details, and navigate complex station layouts. You understand the polite forms used by staff, such as 'San-gai ni gozaimasu'. You can also use the word in the context of comparative descriptions, such as 'Higher floors are more expensive' (Takai kai no hō ga takai desu). You are aware of cultural nuances, such as why the 4th floor might be skipped or how 'depachika' (basement food halls) function. Your listening skills allow you to catch floor numbers in fast-paced announcements in crowded train stations.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B2 level, you encounter 〜階 in more technical or formal writing, such as lease agreements or architectural descriptions. You can use the word to discuss urban development, high-rise safety regulations, and structural design. You are comfortable with related terms like 'saijōkai' (top floor) and 'teisō-kai' (lower floors). You can also handle metaphorical uses in literature or news, where 'levels' might refer to social strata or organizational hierarchies, although 'sou' or 'dankai' might be more common there. You can explain the 'sangai' rendaku rule to others and use the counter accurately even with very large numbers (e.g., the 52nd floor).

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, your understanding of 〜階 extends to historical architecture and specific technical nuances. You can discuss the evolution of the 'kai' system in traditional Japanese 'pagodas' (tō) versus modern skyscrapers. You understand the etymology of the kanji and its relationship to other 'step' related words. You can read and write complex reports about building management or urban planning that use 'kai' in various compound forms. You are also sensitive to the stylistic choice between using 'kai' and 'furoa' in marketing materials and can use this knowledge to sound more native in your own writing.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of all nuances related to 〜階. You can appreciate puns or wordplay involving 'kai' (floors vs. times vs. ocean). You can participate in high-level discussions about architecture, sociology (vertical cities), or history where the concept of 'floors' is central. You can use the word in poetic or highly formal contexts, and you understand the subtle social implications of which floor someone lives or works on in a hierarchical society. You are also familiar with archaic or highly specialized counters for levels that might have been used before the modern 'kai' system became standardized.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

〜階 في 30 ثانية

〜階 (kai) is the Japanese counter for building floors, starting with 1階 as the ground level.
Pronunciation changes are key: 1 (ikkai), 3 (sangai), 6 (rokkai), 8 (hakkai), 10 (jukkai), and What (nangai).
It is used with particles like 'ni' for location and 'e/made' for direction in elevators and buildings.
Basements are indicated by adding 'chika' (地下) before the floor number, like 'chika ikkai' (B1).

The Japanese word 〜階 (kai) is a fundamental counter used to specify the floors of a building. For English speakers, the most important thing to grasp is that Japanese counting for floors begins at the ground level, which is designated as the first floor (1階 - ikkai). Unlike the British system where the ground floor is separate from the 'first floor' above it, the Japanese system aligns with the American style where the entrance level is floor one. This counter is indispensable for navigating department stores, finding apartments, and following directions in urban environments. The kanji character 階 itself represents stairs or steps, composed of the radical for a mound or wall (阜) and the character for 'all' or 'together' (皆), suggesting a series of steps joined together to reach a higher level.

Phonetic Evolution: The pronunciation of this counter changes depending on the number preceding it. While 'kai' is the base, it becomes 'gai' after the number 3 (sangai) and the question word 'nan' (nangai). Furthermore, numbers 1, 6, 8, and 10 trigger a small 'tsu' (sokuon) resulting in 'ikkai', 'rokkai', 'hakkai', and 'jukkai'.

このビルの三階にレストランがあります。 (Kono biru no sangai ni resutoran ga arimasu.) - There is a restaurant on the third floor of this building.

In addition to above-ground floors, the counter is used for basements by adding the prefix 'chika' (地下), resulting in 'chika ikkai' (B1). When you are inside an elevator, you will see buttons labeled with these numbers. In modern Japanese society, where vertical living and shopping are the norms, mastering these floor counts is essential for daily survival. Whether you are looking for the stationery section on the 5th floor of Itoya or trying to find a friend's apartment on the 12th floor of a 'manshon', the word 〜階 will be your constant companion.

受付は一階です。 (Uketsuke wa ikkai desu.) - The reception is on the first floor.

Structural Usage: When describing the total number of floors a building has, the suffix '-date' (建て) is often added, as in 'gokai-date no biru' (a five-story building). This distinguishes the location (the 5th floor) from the building's height (5 stories).

私の部屋は八階にあります。 (Watashi no heya wa hakkai ni arimasu.) - My room is on the eighth floor.

Understanding the nuances of 〜階 also involves recognizing its role in business etiquette. When visiting a Japanese company, you will often be told to go to a specific floor and use the internal phone to call the person you are meeting. Being able to hear 'nan-kai' or 'sangai' correctly ensures you don't end up wandering the wrong hallway.

Cultural Nuance: In department stores (depāto), each floor is often dedicated to a specific category of goods. For example, the 'chika ikkai' (B1) is almost universally the 'depachika' food hall, while the top floors are usually reserved for restaurants (resutoran-gai).

エレベーターで十階まで上がってください。 (Erebētā de jukkai made agatte kudasai.) - Please go up to the 10th floor by elevator.

Overall, 〜階 is a simple yet vital building block of Japanese communication, bridging the gap between abstract numbers and physical space.

Using 〜階 in sentences requires an understanding of Japanese particles and counting rules. The most common structure is '[Number] + 階', followed by particles like に (ni) to indicate location, or へ (e) / まで (made) to indicate direction. For instance, 'San-gai ni arimasu' means 'It is on the third floor'. The particle 'ni' acts as the marker for the specific point in space. When you are moving to a floor, you use 'ni' or 'e', such as 'Ni-kai e ikimasu' (I am going to the second floor).

Question Forms: To ask which floor something is on, use 'Nan-gai' (何階). Note the rendaku (voicing) where 'kai' becomes 'gai'. Example: 'Toire wa nan-gai desu ka?' (Which floor is the toilet on?).

会議室は五階です。 (Kaigishitsu wa gokai desu.) - The meeting room is on the 5th floor.

Another common usage involves the particle 'de' (で) when an action is occurring on a specific floor. For example, 'Roppongi Hiruzu no gojū-ni-kai de eiga o mimashita' (I watched a movie on the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills). Here, 'de' indicates the location of the activity. When describing your residence, you might say 'Manshon no nanakai ni sunde imasu' (I live on the 7th floor of an apartment).

エレベーターで六階に降ります。 (Erebētā de rokkai ni orimasu.) - I will get off at the 6th floor by elevator.

Negative and Tentative Forms: While '〜階' is a noun/counter, it behaves simply. To say 'It's not the 2nd floor', use 'Ni-kai dewa arimasen'. To say 'It might be the 3rd floor', use 'San-gai kamo shiremasen'.

このデパートの地下一階はおいしいお菓子がたくさんあります。 (Kono depāto no chika ikkai wa oishii okashi ga takusan arimasu.) - The first basement floor of this department store has many delicious sweets.

Complex sentences might combine floor numbers with specific departments: 'Shinshi-fuku wa yonkai, fujin-fuku wa sankai ni gozaimasu' (Men's clothing is on the 4th floor, and women's clothing is on the 3rd floor). This polite 'gozaimasu' is typical of department store staff. Additionally, when discussing construction or architecture, 〜階 is used to define the scale of the project: 'Kono keikaku wa sanjū-kai-date no manshon desu' (This plan is for a 30-story apartment building).

Combining with Adjectives: You can describe a floor as 'takai' (high) or 'hikui' (low). 'Kono biru no jukkai wa totemo takai desu' (The 10th floor of this building is very high).

階段で二階まで歩きました。 (Kaidan de nikai made arukimashita.) - I walked up to the second floor via the stairs.

Finally, in technical or legal contexts, 'kai' is used to specify the exact location of incidents or property rights, often seen in news reports: 'Biru no hachi-kai kara kaji ga hassei shimashita' (A fire broke out from the 8th floor of the building). By understanding these sentence patterns, learners can navigate the verticality of Japanese cities with confidence.

The word 〜階 is ubiquitous in urban Japan. The most common place you will hear it is inside an elevator. Modern Japanese elevators often have automated voices that announce the floor upon arrival: 'San-gai, san-gai de gozaimasu' (Third floor, third floor). You will also hear it in department stores where the 'elevator girl' (though rarer now) or the PA system announces the contents of each floor. For example, 'Go-kai wa omocha to bunbōgu no furoa de gozaimasu' (The 5th floor is the floor for toys and stationery).

Train Stations: In massive stations like Shinjuku or Osaka, you'll hear 'Chika ni-kai no kaisatsuguchi' (The ticket gate on the second basement floor). Announcements will often guide passengers to different levels for different lines.

次は四階に止まります。 (Tsugi wa yonkai ni tomarimasu.) - It will stop at the 4th floor next.

In a business context, receptionists will frequently direct you: 'Erebētā de jū-ni-kai e o-agari kudasai' (Please go up to the 12th floor by the elevator). You'll also hear it during apartment hunting (heya-sagashi) where the real estate agent (fudōsan-ya) will highlight the benefits of a higher floor: 'Ju-kai nanode, keshiki ga ii desu yo' (Since it's the 10th floor, the view is good).

このマンションの最上階はいくらですか？ (Kono manshon no saijōkai wa ikura desu ka?) - How much is the top floor of this apartment building?

Public Announcements: In malls, you might hear: 'O-kyakusama ni o-shirase itashimasu. Ni-kai no erebētā mae ni o-wasuremono ga gozaimasu' (An announcement for our customers. There is a forgotten item in front of the 2nd-floor elevator).

本屋は七階にあります。 (Hon-ya wa nanakai ni arimasu.) - The bookstore is on the 7th floor.

Furthermore, in daily conversation, friends might ask, 'Ima nan-gai ni iru?' (What floor are you on now?) when trying to meet up in a crowded building. You might also hear it in news reports concerning high-rise developments or accidents: 'Biru no jū-go-kai kara no tenmado' (A skylight from the 15th floor of the building). The word is so integrated into the fabric of Japanese life that you will encounter it within minutes of entering any Japanese city. From the 'chika' depths of the subway to the 'saijōkai' heights of the Skytree, 〜階 is the measure of vertical progress.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with 〜階 is the pronunciation of specific numbers. Many learners try to say 'ichikai' for the 1st floor, but the correct form is 'ikkai'. Similarly, 'sankai' is often used by mistake for the 3rd floor, when it should be 'sangai'. Interestingly, 'sankai' actually means 'three times' (frequency), so saying 'sankai ni arimasu' could technically sound like 'it exists in three times', which is nonsensical.

Phonetic Pitfalls: 1階: ikkai (NOT ichikai), 3階: sangai (NOT sankai), 6階: rokkai (NOT rokukai), 8階: hakkai (NOT hachikai), 10階: jukkai (NOT jukai), 何階: nangai (NOT nankai).

❌ 三階 (sankai) -> ✅ 三階 (sangai)

Another common error is the ground floor confusion. British or Australian speakers might call the entrance level the 'ground floor' and the next level the '1st floor'. In Japan, the entrance level is '1階' (ikkai). If you look for '1階' in Japan and expect it to be one level up, you will be on the wrong floor.

❌ 一階 (ichikai) -> ✅ 一階 (ikkai)

Counter Confusion: Do not confuse 〜階 (kai - floors) with 〜回 (kai - times). Although they look similar in romaji and are both 'kai', the kanji and meanings are distinct. However, for the 3rd floor, it is 'sangai', but for 'three times', it is 'sankai'. This is a key differentiator.

❌ 何階 (nankai) -> ✅ 何階 (nangai)

Learners also struggle with the '4th floor' (yon-kai). While 'shi-kai' is technically a possible reading of the kanji, it is never used for floors because 'shikai' can mean 'dentist', 'visibility', or 'dead boundaries'. Always use 'yon-kai'. Similarly, for the 7th floor, 'nana-kai' is standard, and 'shichi-kai' is rarely used. For the 9th floor, 'kyū-kai' is standard, and 'ku-kai' is avoided.

Writing Errors: In kanji, don't confuse 階 with 階段 (kaidan - stairs). 階 is the counter, while 階段 is the physical staircase. Writing '3階段' to mean '3rd floor' is incorrect.

❌ 八階 (hachikai) -> ✅ 八階 (hakkai)

By paying close attention to these phonetic shifts and cultural differences in floor numbering, you can avoid common misunderstandings and sound much more like a native speaker.

While 〜階 is the standard counter for floors, there are several other words that describe building levels or layers. The most common alternative is the loanword フロア (furoa). While 'kai' is a counter (like '1st floor'), 'furoa' often refers to the entire floor space or a specific section. For example, 'fujin-fuku furoa' (women's clothing floor). You wouldn't usually say 'san-furoa' to mean '3rd floor'; you'd say 'san-gai'.

階 vs フロア: '〜階' is used for counting and addresses (3階). 'フロア' is used for the concept of the floor as a destination or a themed area (レストランフロア).

このビルは十階建てです。 (Kono biru wa jukkai-date desu.) - This building is ten stories tall.

Another related term is 層 (sou). This word means 'layer' or 'stratum'. It is used in more technical, geological, or metaphorical contexts. For example, 'kō-shōtoku-sou' (high-income layer/bracket) or 'chika-shitsu no kōzō-sou' (structural layers of a basement). It is rarely used for simple building floors unless discussing architectural theory or multi-layered structures like a 'nijū-sou' (double layer).

五層の構造になっています。 (Gosou no kōzō ni natte imasu.) - It has a five-layered structure.

Levels in Games/Skill: For levels in a video game or levels of proficiency, Japanese uses 'reberu' (レベル) or 'dankai' (段階). 'Dankai' specifically refers to steps or stages in a process. You wouldn't use 'kai' for this.

次の段階に進みましょう。 (Tsugi no dankai ni susumimashō.) - Let's move to the next stage/level.

There is also 段 (dan), which is used for counting steps of a staircase or 'ranks' in martial arts (like a black belt 1st dan). While 'dan' and 'kai' both relate to verticality, 'dan' is about the individual step, whereas 'kai' is the entire floor level. In summary, while 'kai' is your go-to for building floors, 'furoa' adds a descriptive touch, 'sou' is for technical layers, 'dankai' is for stages, and 'dan' is for steps or ranks.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

The radical on the left (阜) represents a mountain or a stone wall, while the right side (皆) means 'all'. Together, they imply a series of steps where everyone can ascend.

دليل النطق

UK kaɪ

US kaɪ

Japanese is pitch-accented. 'Kai' generally has a flat or slightly rising pitch depending on the prefix.

يتقافى مع

Ai (Love) Tai (Thai/Sea Bream) Mai (Counter for flat objects) Sai (Age) Dai (Stand/Counter for machines) Hai (Yes/Lung) Nai (Non-existent) Wai (Y - the letter)

أخطاء شائعة

Saying 'ichikai' instead of 'ikkai'.
Saying 'sankai' instead of 'sangai' (for 3rd floor).
Saying 'rokukai' instead of 'rokkai'.
Saying 'hachikai' instead of 'hakkai'.
Saying 'jukai' instead of 'jukkai'.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 2/5

The kanji is relatively simple but the phonetic changes for specific numbers require memorization.

الكتابة 3/5

The kanji 階 has several strokes but follows standard radical patterns.

التحدث 3/5

The rendaku (sangai) and sokuon (ikkai) are common stumbling blocks for learners.

الاستماع 2/5

Easy to hear in elevators, though 'sangai' vs 'sankai' needs attention.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

一 (ichi) 二 (ni) 三 (san) ビル (biru) どこ (doko)

تعلّم لاحقاً

〜回 (kai - times) 〜枚 (mai - flat objects) 〜本 (hon - long objects) 階段 (kaidan - stairs) エレベーター (erebētā)

متقدم

階級 (kaikyū) 階層 (kaisō) 段階 (dankai) 建築 (kenchiku)

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Counter Phonetic Changes (Sokuon-ka)

1階 -> いっかい (ikkai), 6階 -> ろっかい (rokkai)

Rendaku (Voicing) in Counters

3階 -> さんがい (sangai), 何階 -> なんがい (nangai)

Suffixing with 〜建て (date)

五階建て (gokai-date) means 'a five-story building'.

Particle 'Ni' for Static Location

二階にあります (It is on the second floor).

Particle 'De' for Action Location

三階で食事をしました (I ate on the third floor).

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

ここは一階です。

This is the first floor.

Uses 'ikkai' for the 1st floor.

トイレは何階ですか？

What floor is the toilet on?

Uses 'nan-gai' (voiced) for the question.

三階にあります。

It is on the third floor.

Uses 'sangai' (voiced).

二階へ行きます。

I am going to the second floor.

Uses 'he' to show direction.

このビルは五階まであります。

This building goes up to the 5th floor.

Uses 'made' to show the limit.

エレベーターで六階に行きました。

I went to the 6th floor by elevator.

Uses 'rokkai' (sokuon).

受付は八階です。

The reception is on the 8th floor.

Uses 'hakkai' (sokuon).

十階で会いましょう。

Let's meet on the 10th floor.

Uses 'jukkai' (sokuon).

地下二階に駐車場があります。

There is a parking lot on the second basement floor.

Uses 'chika' for basement.

私はマンションの四階に住んでいます。

I live on the 4th floor of an apartment.

Uses 'yon-kai' (never shi-kai).

このデパートの七階はレストランです。

The 7th floor of this department store is restaurants.

Uses 'nanakai'.

階段で三階まで上がってください。

Please go up to the 3rd floor by the stairs.

Uses 'sangai'.

九階の窓から海が見えます。

You can see the sea from the 9th-floor window.

Uses 'kyū-kai'.

何階で降りますか？

Which floor are you getting off at?

Uses 'nan-gai'.

このビルは三階建ての古い建物です。

This building is an old three-story structure.

Uses 'sangai-date' to describe building height.

一階のロビーで待っています。

I am waiting in the lobby on the 1st floor.

Uses 'ikkai'.

最上階の部屋は家賃が高いです。

The rooms on the top floor have high rent.

Uses 'saijōkai' for top floor.

各階に非常口があります。

There are emergency exits on each floor.

Uses 'kaku-kai' for each floor.

地下一階の食料品売り場はいつも混んでいます。

The food department on the first basement floor is always crowded.

Uses 'chika ikkai'.

会議は十二階の第一会議室で行われます。

The meeting will be held in Meeting Room 1 on the 12th floor.

Uses 'jū-ni-kai'.

このホテルは全館二十階建てです。

This hotel is a 20-story building in its entirety.

Uses 'zenkan' and 'nijukkai-date'.

エスカレーターで二階に上がると、右側にあります。

When you go up to the 2nd floor by escalator, it's on the right side.

Uses 'nikai'.

低層階は騒音が気になるかもしれません。

You might be bothered by noise on the lower floors.

Uses 'teisō-kai' for lower floors.

展望台は四十五階にあります。

The observation deck is on the 45th floor.

Uses 'yonjū-go-kai'.

建物の構造上、三階部分が補強されています。

Due to the building's structure, the 3rd-floor section is reinforced.

Uses 'sangai bubun' (the 3rd floor part).

高層階にお住まいの方は、地震の際の揺れに注意してください。

Those living on high floors should be careful of shaking during earthquakes.

Uses 'kōsō-kai' for high floors.

このオフィスビルは、各階ごとにセキュリティチェックがあります。

This office building has security checks for every single floor.

Uses 'kaku-kai gotoni'.

一階を店舗、二階以上を住居として貸し出しています。

The 1st floor is for shops, and the 2nd floor and above are rented out as residences.

Uses 'nikai ijō' (2nd floor and above).

火災が発生したのは、このビルの八階付近です。

The fire broke out around the 8th floor of this building.

Uses 'hakkai fukin'.

彼はそのビルの三十階にオフィスを構えている。

He has established his office on the 30th floor of that building.

Uses 'sanjukkai'.

地下三階まで掘り下げる工事が始まりました。

Construction has begun to dig down to the third basement floor.

Uses 'chika sangai'.

このデパートは、フロアごとにコンセプトが異なります。

This department store has different concepts for each floor.

Uses 'furoa' as a synonym for 'kai'.

この歴史的な建造物は、現存する最古の五重塔です。

This historical structure is the oldest surviving five-story pagoda.

Uses 'gojū-no-tō' where 'jū' is related to 'kai' (layers/floors).

都市計画において、建物の階数制限が議論されています。

In urban planning, building floor count restrictions are being discussed.

Uses 'kaisuu seigen'.

中層階からの眺望は、都市の活気を間近に感じさせます。

The view from the middle floors makes you feel the city's energy up close.

Uses 'chūsō-kai' for middle floors.

建築基準法に基づき、十階以上の建物にはスプリンクラーの設置が義務付けられています。

Based on the Building Standards Act, sprinklers are mandatory for buildings with 10 or more floors.

Formal legal context.

そのタワーマンションは、五十階建ての圧倒的な存在感を放っている。

That high-rise apartment building emits an overwhelming presence with its 50 stories.

Descriptive literary style.

地下階の換気システムを改善する必要があります。

It is necessary to improve the ventilation system of the basement floors.

Uses 'chikakai' as a general term.

避難訓練では、全階の従業員が参加しました。

In the evacuation drill, employees from all floors participated.

Uses 'zen-kai'.

最上階のペントハウスは、市場に出る前に売却された。

The top-floor penthouse was sold before it even hit the market.

Real estate business context.

このビルは、物理的な階数を超えた、重層的な歴史を内包している。

This building contains a multi-layered history that transcends its physical floor count.

Metaphorical use of 'kaisuu'.

階層化された社会構造の中で、彼は常に頂点を目指していた。

Within the stratified social structure, he always aimed for the top.

Uses 'kaisō' (strata/hierarchy), related to 'kai'.

建築家は、各階の空間が織りなすリズムを重視した。

The architect emphasized the rhythm created by the spaces on each floor.

Artistic/Architectural critique.

地下数階に及ぶ巨大な地下都市の構想が、SF小説のテーマとなった。

The concept of a massive underground city extending several floors down became the theme of the sci-fi novel.

Speculative fiction context.

建物の階層ごとに異なる音響特性を考慮し、設計が行われた。

The design was carried out considering the different acoustic characteristics for each floor level of the building.

Technical precision.

高層階からの俯瞰は、人間社会の営みを矮小化して見せる。

A bird's-eye view from the high floors makes human activities seem trivial.

Philosophical observation.

この寺院の三重の塔は、仏教の宇宙観を象徴している。

The three-story pagoda of this temple symbolizes the Buddhist worldview.

Religious/Cultural symbolism.

都市の垂直的な拡張は、階数という概念に新たな意味を与えた。

The vertical expansion of cities has given a new meaning to the concept of floor count.

Socio-urban analysis.

تلازمات شائعة

三階建て

地下一階

最上階

各階

低層階

高層階

一階ロビー

何階

全階

中層階

العبارات الشائعة

三階にございます

— Polite way to say 'It is on the 3rd floor'. Used by staff.

お手洗いは三階にございます。

一階へ参ります

— Elevator announcement meaning 'Going to the 1st floor'.

次は一階へ参ります。

何階でお降りですか？

— Polite way to ask 'Which floor are you getting off at?'.

お客様、何階でお降りですか？

二階建てバス

— A double-decker bus.

ロンドンで二階建てバスに乗った。

地下二階駐車場

— Second basement parking lot.

地下二階駐車場に車を止めた。

五階まで階段で

— Going up to the 5th floor by stairs.

健康のために五階まで階段で上がった。

最上階のレストラン

— The restaurant on the top floor.

最上階のレストランでディナーを食べる。

一階の角の部屋

— The corner room on the 1st floor.

一階の角の部屋は日当たりが悪い。

十階建てのビル

— A ten-story building.

あの十階建てのビルが私の会社です。

各階停車

— Stopping at every floor.

このエレベーターは各階停車です。

يُخلط عادةً مع

〜階 vs 〜回 (kai)

Used for 'times' or 'frequency'. 3 times is 'sankai', while the 3rd floor is 'sangai'.

〜階 vs 階級 (kaikyū)

Refers to rank or class, not a physical floor.

〜階 vs 階段 (kaidan)

The physical stairs themselves.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"三階から目薬"

— To do something in a round-about, ineffective way (like trying to put eye drops in from the 3rd floor).

そんなやり方では三階から目薬だよ。

Common Idiom

"砂上の楼閣"

— A castle in the air; something that lacks a solid foundation (楼閣 implies a multi-story building).

彼の計画は砂上の楼閣に過ぎない。

Literary

"空中楼閣"

— Daydreaming or unrealistic plans (similar to 'castle in the air').

それは単なる空中楼閣だ。

Literary

"階を上る"

— To move up in level or rank (metaphorical).

彼は一歩ずつ成功の階を上っている。

Poetic

"地下に潜る"

— To go underground (often used for secret activities, though 'chika' is floor-related).

反政府組織が地下に潜った。

General

"高嶺の花"

— Something out of reach (often related to 'high' levels/floors metaphorically).

彼女は僕にとって高嶺の花だ。

Common

"同じ土俵に上がる"

— To compete on the same level (related to verticality/levels).

まずは同じ土俵に上がることが大切だ。

General

"一段落する"

— To reach a stopping point in a stage (uses 'dan' which is floor-related).

仕事が一段落した。

Common

"二階から目薬"

— Variation of 'San-gai kara megusuri' (eye drops from the 2nd floor); same meaning.

それは二階から目薬のような話だ。

Common Idiom

"上の階の住人"

— Can refer to 'those above us' in a hierarchy, though usually literal.

上の階の住人がうるさい。

Literal/Metaphorical

سهل الخلط

〜階 vs 回 (kai)

Identical pronunciation for most numbers.

回 is for frequency (times), 階 is for levels (floors). Only 3 and 'What' differ in pronunciation (sankai vs sangai).

三回行きました (I went 3 times) vs 三階に行きました (I went to the 3rd floor).

〜階 vs 層 (sou)

Both mean 'layer' or 'level'.

層 is technical or metaphorical (geology, social strata), 階 is for buildings.

地層 (geological layer) vs 三階 (3rd floor).

〜階 vs 段 (dan)

Both relate to vertical steps.

段 is for individual steps of stairs or ranks (martial arts), 階 is for entire floors.

三段目 (the 3rd step) vs 三階 (the 3rd floor).

〜階 vs 階級 (kaikyū)

Contains the same kanji.

階級 is abstract (social class/military rank), 階 is physical (building floor).

中産階級 (middle class) vs 五階 (5th floor).

〜階 vs レベル (reberu)

Both mean 'level'.

レベル is for proficiency or games, 階 is for architecture.

日本語のレベル (Japanese level) vs 一階 (1st floor).

أنماط الجُمل

[Number]階です。

二階です。

[Number]階にあります。

三階にあります。

何階ですか？

受付は何階ですか？

地下[Number]階に[Noun]があります。

地下一階にスーパーがあります。

[Number]階建ての[Noun]です。

十階建てのマンションです。

[Number]階で[Verb]します。

五階で会議をします。

[Number]階から[Noun]が見えます。

五十階から富士山が見えます。

[Number]階以上の建物には...

十一階以上の建物にはスプリンクラーが必要です。

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

階級 (Kaikyū - Class/Rank)

階段 (Kaidan - Stairs)

階層 (Kaisō - Strata/Hierarchy)

階下 (Kaika - Downstairs)

階上 (Kaijō - Upstairs)

مرتبط

階数 (Kaisuu - Number of floors)

地階 (Chikai - Basement floor)

段階 (Dankai - Stage/Phase)

位階 (Ikai - Court rank)

一階建て (Ikkai-date - One-story building)

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Extremely high in urban areas, high in daily life.

أخطاء شائعة

Using 'ichikai' for 1st floor. → ikkai (一階)
The number one (ichi) undergoes a phonetic change before 'k' sounds to become 'ik-'.
Using 'sankai' for 3rd floor. → sangai (三階)
The number three (san) causes the following 'k' sound to become voiced 'g' (rendaku).
Assuming '1階' is above the ground floor. → 1階 is the ground floor.
Japanese floor numbering starts at 1 for the street level, unlike the British system.
Using 'shikai' for 4th floor. → yonkai (四階)
The reading 'shi' for 4 is avoided in counters like floors due to its association with death.
Confusing 'kai' (floor) with 'kai' (times) in speech. → Listen for 'sangai' vs 'sankai'.
While many sound the same, the 3rd floor (sangai) and the question (nangai) are distinct from frequency (sankai/nankai).

نصائح

The Sokuon Rule

Remember that 1, 6, 8, and 10 use a small 'tsu'. This makes the 'k' sound sharp and double: ikkai, rokkai, hakkai, jukkai.

Which Floor?

Always use 'nangai' with a 'g' when asking 'Which floor?'. Using 'nankai' will make people think you are asking 'How many times?'.

Depachika

If you are looking for food, always head to 'Chika Ikkai' (B1) in a department store. It's a Japanese cultural staple.

Building Height

To describe building height, use '-date'. 'Nikai-date' is a two-story house, very common in Japanese suburbs.

Elevator Voices

Pay attention to elevators. They are the best free teachers for floor numbers. They usually say '...kai de gozaimasu'.

Kanji vs. F

In casual texts, using '3F' is fine. In formal writing, using '三階' or '3階' is preferred.

The Green 3

Associate the number 3 with 'Green' to remember the 'G' sound: San-Gai.

1F is Entrance

Never look for a 'Ground Floor' button. 1 is always the level you enter from the street.

Emergency Signs

Look for signs like '各階に消火器' (Fire extinguishers on every floor) to practice reading 'kai' in real situations.

Saijōkai

Learn 'saijōkai' (top floor) and 'sai-ka-kai' (lowest floor) to sound like a pro when discussing architecture.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of 'Kai' as a 'Kite' flying up to different floors. 1st floor Kite (Ikkai), 3rd floor Green Kite (Sangai).

ربط بصري

Imagine a tall building where each floor has a giant number and the kanji 階 next to it. The 3rd floor is glowing green (G for Gai).

Word Web

Building Elevator Stairs Basement Penthouse Apartment Address Department Store

تحدٍّ

Go to a local building or look at a photo of a skyscraper. Count the floors out loud in Japanese: Ikkai, Nikai, Sangai, Yonkai... see if you can reach 20 without a mistake!

أصل الكلمة

Borrowed from Middle Chinese (Sinitic origin). The character 階 appeared in early Japanese texts following the introduction of Buddhism and Chinese architectural styles.

المعنى الأصلي: Steps, stairs, or a ladder leading up to a high place or mound.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

السياق الثقافي

Be aware that the 4th floor can be sensitive in hospitals; use 'yon-kai' clearly and avoid 'shi-kai'.

Unlike the UK/Europe where the ground floor is 0/G, Japan follows the US system where the entrance is 1F.

The Tokyo Skytree observation decks (350m and 450m levels). The 'Depachika' food culture in Isetan or Mitsukoshi. The 'Gojū-no-tō' at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Elevator

何階に行きますか？
三階をお願いします。
一階で降ります。
上へ参ります。

Department Store

レストランは何階ですか？
地下一階はどこですか？
五階は文房具売り場です。
エスカレーターで二階へ。

Real Estate

このマンションは何階建てですか？
八階の部屋を見たいです。
高層階は景色がいいです。
一階は庭があります。

Business

十階の会議室に来てください。
受付は一階にあります。
弊社はビルの六階です。
エレベーターで十二階まで。

Directions

三階の角の店です。
二階に上がって右です。
地下二階に駐車場があります。
四階まで階段で行けます。

بدايات محادثة

"あなたの家は何階にありますか？ (What floor is your house on?)"

"デパートの地下一階で何を買うのが好きですか？ (What do you like to buy in the department store basement?)"

"高い階に住みたいですか、それとも低い階がいいですか？ (Do you want to live on a high floor or a low floor?)"

"このビルに展望台は何階にありますか？ (On what floor is the observation deck in this building?)"

"階段で何階まで上がることができますか？ (Up to what floor can you go by stairs?)"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

今日、デパートの何階に行きましたか？そこで何を見ましたか？ (What floor of the department store did you go to today? What did you see there?)

理想のマンションの階数について書いてください。 (Write about the ideal floor number for your apartment.)

高い階からの景色について、あなたの経験を教えてください。 (Tell me about your experience regarding the view from a high floor.)

日本とあなたの国の「一階」の違いについて説明してください。 (Explain the difference between 'the 1st floor' in Japan and your country.)

エレベーターが壊れたら、何階までなら歩けますか？ (If the elevator broke, up to what floor could you walk?)

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

No. In Japan, the entrance level is called '1階' (ikkai). There is no separate 'Ground Floor' (G or 0). This is similar to the American system.

It is 'sangai'. The 'k' sound changes to a 'g' sound (rendaku) for the number 3 and the question word 'nan' (何階 - nangai).

You say 'Chika ikkai' (地下一階). 'Chika' means underground, and you follow it with the floor number.

The number 4 (shi) can mean 'death' in Japanese. While rare in modern buildings, some hospitals or older apartments skip it to avoid bad luck.

No, you should use '回' (kai) for frequency. Although they sound the same, the kanji and the 'sangai' rule are different.

The most common way is 'jukkai'. Traditionally it was 'jikkai', but 'jukkai' is what you will hear most often today.

'Nanakai' is much more common and clearer. 'Shichikai' can be easily misheard as 'ichikai' (though 1st floor is 'ikkai').

It means the 'topmost floor'. It's a combination of 'sai' (most), 'jō' (top), and 'kai' (floor).

You add '〜建て' (date). So, 'Go-kai-date no biru' means a five-story building.

'Kai' is the counter used for addresses and specific levels. 'Furoa' is a loanword often used to describe the atmosphere or the department (e.g., 'Fashion Floor').

سجّل مجاناً للنصائح والملاحظات