台阶

臺階

táijiē

noun HSK 4 #6,405

Meanings

1 steps; stairway; flight of stairs
2 way out of an embarrassing situation (figurative)

Characters

platform; terrace

Examples

小心台阶，别摔倒了。

Xiǎoxīn táijiē, bié shuāidǎo le.

Watch the steps - don't fall.

给他一个台阶下吧。

Gěi tā yī gè táijiē xià ba.

Give him a way out (save his face).

Tips

culture

给台阶下 ('give steps to walk down') is an important face-saving concept. It means providing someone with a graceful way to back down from an awkward situation without losing 面子.

Stroke Order

台 tái

阶 jiē