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.”
`阶段` is a very common and versatile word used in both formal and informal contexts.
The connotation is neutral, simply describing a segment of a process without inherent positive or negative judgment.
A common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing `阶段` from similar-sounding words.