台阶

táijiē

HSK 5

台阶 — táijiē

1. a flight or series of steps; staircase; stairway

   他从台阶上摔了下来，受了点轻伤。 tā cóng táijiē shàng shuāi le xiàlái shòu le diǎn qīngshāng — He fell down the stairs and suffered minor injuries.

2. to step up or over a single step/obstacle; a single step

   请注意这个台阶，别被绊倒了。 qǐng zhùyì zhège táijiē bié bèi bàndǎo le — Please watch this step so you don't trip.

3. fig. a way out of an awkward or embarrassing situation; a face-saving exit

   他给了她一个台阶，让她可以体面地离开会议。 tā gěi le tā yígè táijiē ràng tā kěyǐ tǐmiàndì líkāi huìyì — He gave her a way out so she could leave the meeting with dignity.

4. geology: a bench or step-like ledge in terrain or strata

   地质勘探显示这一带有明显的台阶状地形。 dìzhìkāntàn xiǎnshì zhè yīdài yǒu míngxiǎn de táijiē zhuàng dìxíng — Geological surveys show clear bench-like terrain in this area.