gaai1 tai1階梯阶梯
Jyutpinggaai1 tai1
Yalegāai tāi
Definition
Staircase; flight of stairs.
neutralplaces
How it's used
Refers specifically to a set of steps often found in outdoor or architectural contexts, such as a hillside path or a grand entrance. While technically interchangeable with 樓梯, it carries a slightly more formal or structural nuance compared to the everyday, generic 樓梯. It is rarely used for the small, portable steps inside a typical apartment.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
This staircase is so long, my legs feel weak from walking up it.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a simple ladder, which is 梯. Using 階梯 for a ladder sounds unnatural and confusing to native speakers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
