Keywords: 阶级, jieji, social class in China, Chinese class system, class struggle, 阶级斗争, proletariat in Chinese, bourgeoisie in Chinese, what is jieji, Chinese society, class solidification
Summary: Learn about 阶级 (jiējí), the Chinese term for “(social) class.” This word is far more than a simple descriptor of wealth; it's deeply rooted in Marxist theory and the political history of 20th-century China, particularly the concept of 阶级斗争 (jiējí dòuzhēng), or “class struggle.” While its political use has faded from daily life, understanding 阶级 is essential for grasping Chinese history, official rhetoric, and modern discussions about social inequality and 阶级固化 (jiējí gùhuà)—the difficulty of upward mobility in today's society.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): jiējí
Part of Speech: Noun
HSK Level: HSK 6
Concise Definition: A social class, especially in a political and economic context defined by one's relationship to the means of production.
In a Nutshell:阶级 (jiējí) is a formal and weighty term for “social class.” Think less about “upper class” vs. “middle class” in a casual, lifestyle sense, and more about the historical, political division between the “proletariat” (working class) and the “bourgeoisie” (capitalist class). It carries the heavy historical baggage of the Mao era's “class struggle,” and using it in conversation can sound very serious, academic, or even politically charged.
Character Breakdown
阶 (jiē): This character originally depicted steps leading up a mound or building. Its core meaning is “stairs,” “steps,” or by extension, a “rank” or “level.” Think of a staircase representing a hierarchy.
级 (jí): This character also relates to levels or steps, often used for “grade” (in school) or “rank.” It shows a person (人) being pursued (及), which evolved to mean reaching a certain level or grade.
Together, 阶级 (jiējí) literally combines “steps/rank” + “level/grade” to create a powerful and visual term for a system of social hierarchy with distinct, separate levels.
Cultural Context and Significance
The Core of Maoist Ideology: In the mid-20th century, 阶级 was arguably one of the most important words in China. The entire political system under Mao Zedong was built on the Marxist-Leninist concept of 阶级斗争 (jiējí dòuzhēng), or “class struggle.” Society was officially and rigidly divided into classes. Your assigned 阶级成分 (jiējí chéngfèn), or “class background” (e.g., worker, poor peasant, landlord, capitalist), determined your social standing, access to education, career opportunities, and even your safety during political campaigns like the Cultural Revolution.
Comparison with Western “Social Class”: In the West, “social class” is primarily a sociological or economic concept. We talk about the “middle class” based on income, education, and lifestyle. It's a fluid descriptor. In contrast, the traditional Chinese concept of 阶级 (jiējí) was a rigid, state-enforced political identity. While a Westerner might move between classes by getting a better job, for decades in China, one's 阶级 was an inherited, unchangeable label with life-or-death consequences. This historical weight is why the word feels much heavier than its English equivalent.
Practical Usage in Modern China
While the intense political focus on 阶级 has faded, the term has found new life in modern contexts.
Historical and Formal Contexts: The term is still standard in academic texts, history books, and official Communist Party documents when discussing history and political theory.
Modern Social Commentary: In a fascinating shift, 阶级 is now used by many, especially younger people, to discuss modern social stratification and inequality. The term 阶级固化 (jiējí gùhuà), meaning “class solidification” or “class ossification,” is a popular buzzword used to describe the feeling that it's becoming increasingly difficult for people from ordinary backgrounds to achieve significant upward mobility, as wealth and opportunity become concentrated at the top.
Connotation: In historical contexts, it is neutral but serious. In modern social commentary, it carries a critical or cynical connotation, highlighting social injustices and inequalities. It is almost never used in light, casual conversation.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
在毛主席的时代，阶级斗争是一个非常重要的概念。
Pinyin: Zài Máo zhǔxí de shídài, jiējí dòuzhēng shì yí ge fēicháng zhòngyào de gàiniàn.
English: In Chairman Mao's era, class struggle was a very important concept.
Analysis: This shows the most common and historical use of 阶级, linking it directly to political ideology.
Example 2:
他出身于工人阶级家庭。
Pinyin: Tā chūshēn yú gōngrén jiējí jiātíng.
English: He comes from a working-class family.
Analysis: Here, 阶级 is used to define a specific social group, the “working class” (工人阶级).
Example 3:
很多年轻人担心社会阶级固化的问题。
Pinyin: Hěn duō niánqīngrén dānxīn shèhuì jiējí gùhuà de wèntí.
English: A lot of young people are worried about the problem of social class solidification.
Analysis: This is a perfect example of the word's modern usage, expressing anxiety about economic inequality and lack of social mobility.
Example 4:
革命的目标是推翻资产阶级的统治。
Pinyin: Gémìng de mùbiāo shì tuīfān zīchǎn jiējí de tǒngzhì.
English: The goal of the revolution is to overthrow the rule of the bourgeoisie.
Analysis: This sentence uses the term for “bourgeoisie” or “capitalist class” (资产阶级), again highlighting its political roots.
English: Through diligent study and hard work, he successfully crossed the class divide.
Analysis: “阶级跨越 (jiējí kuàyuè)” means to leap across classes. This is a modern phrase used to describe upward mobility.
Example 6:
这部电影深刻地探讨了不同阶级之间的矛盾。
Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng shēnkè de tàntǎole bùtóng jiējí zhījiān de máodùn.
English: This film profoundly explores the conflicts between different social classes.
Analysis: A common usage in literary or film analysis, where 阶级 is used as an analytical framework.
Example 7:
过去，阶级成分会影响一个人的一生。
Pinyin: Guòqù, jiējí chéngfèn huì yǐngxiǎng yí ge rén de yìshēng.
English: In the past, one's class background would affect their entire life.
Analysis: This sentence refers to the specific historical concept of 阶级成分 (jiējí chéngfèn), the official class label assigned to individuals and families.
Example 8:
无产阶级是社会主义革命的领导力量。
Pinyin: Wúchǎn jiējí shì shèhuì zhǔyì gémìng de lǐngdǎo lìliàng.
English: The proletariat is the leading force of the socialist revolution.
Analysis: This is a sentence you would find in a textbook on Chinese political history, defining the role of the “proletariat” (无产阶级).
Example 9:
随着经济发展，一个新的中产阶级正在兴起。
Pinyin: Suízhe jīngjì fāzhǎn, yí ge xīn de zhōngchǎn jiējí zhèngzài xīngqǐ.
English: Along with economic development, a new middle class is emerging.
Analysis: This shows the term being adapted to modern concepts like the “middle class” (中产阶级), which is a much more common term in daily conversation now.
Example 10:
他们之间的爱情受到了阶级差异的考验。
Pinyin: Tāmen zhījiān de àiqíng shòudàole jiējí chāyì de kǎoyàn.
English: The love between them was tested by their class differences.
Analysis: This illustrates how 阶级 can be used in a narrative context, similar to “class” in a Jane Austen novel, but still carrying that serious, socio-economic weight.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using it for “Classy” or “High-Class”.
Do not use 阶级 to describe something as stylish or high-quality.
Correct: 我想买一张头等舱的票。(Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yì zhāng tóuděngcāng de piào.) - I want to buy a first-class ticket.
The “False Friend” Trap: While 阶级 translates to “class,” it is not a direct equivalent. In English, “class” is a broad, flexible term. In Chinese, 阶级 is a narrow, formal term loaded with political and historical meaning. Using it casually to ask “What social class are you?” would be extremely strange and jarring. For that, you would use much more indirect questions about their job or hometown. Use the more neutral term 社会阶层 (shèhuì jiēcéng) for sociological discussions.
Related Terms and Concepts
阶级斗争 (jiējí dòuzhēng) - Class struggle; the core political concept associated with 阶级.
无产阶级 (wúchǎn jiējí) - The proletariat; the “have-not” or working class. Literally “no-property class.”
资产阶级 (zīchǎn jiējí) - The bourgeoisie; the capitalist or property-owning class.
中产阶级 (zhōngchǎn jiējí) - The middle class; a more modern and less politically charged term than the two above.
阶级固化 (jiējí gùhuà) - Class solidification; a modern buzzword for the lack of social mobility.
社会阶层 (shèhuì jiēcéng) - Social stratum/strata; a more neutral, academic, and sociological term for social layers, lacking the heavy political connotation of 阶级.
成分 (chéngfèn) - Component/background; in a historical context, this refers to one's official class background (阶级成分), a critical political label.
剥削 (bōxuē) - Exploitation; the act that, in Marxist theory, defines the relationship between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.
等级 (děngjí) - Rank, grade, level; a more general term for hierarchy that can apply to products, quality, or systems, without the specific political meaning of 阶级.