급
geup · TOPIK 1
grade, level
🪜 급 = hanja 級: silk thread 糸 + reach 及, steps reached in order
級 originally named the ordered grades of silk thread, then steps of a stair, then any rank. Same root as Chinese 级 (jí) and Japanese 級 (kyū). You meet it in 초급 beginner level, 고급 advanced level, 등급 grade.