Meaning and Usage
"梯子" (はしご) primarily means "ladder," a tool used to climb up or down. It can also refer metaphorically to "stairs" or "steps" in a process, such as career advancement.
Common Contexts
You will often see "梯子" in physical contexts, like climbing a ladder to reach a high place. It is also used figuratively in expressions like "会社の梯子を上る" (climb the corporate ladder), meaning to advance in one's career.
Collocations and Patterns
- "梯子をかける": to set up or put up a ladder, used when physically placing a ladder.
- "梯子を上る": to climb a ladder, literal or figurative (e.g., career progression).
- "梯子を外す": literally "to remove the ladder," figuratively meaning to withdraw support or abandon someone.
Register and Nuance
"梯子" is a neutral noun used in everyday conversation and writing. It is neither formal nor informal but is common in both spoken and written Japanese.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "梯子" with "はし" (橋, bridge) or "階段" (かいだん, stairs). Remember that "梯子" specifically refers to a portable ladder, while "階段" refers to fixed stairs inside buildings.