Ladder vs. stepladder vs. stairs vs. steps

　　这几个词有什么区别呢？

　　Ladder, stepladder, stairs and steps. 

What is the difference between these words?

In general, a ladder and a stepladder are pieces of equipment that are used for climbing up or climbing down something. They can be moved from one place to the next.

　　一般来说，ladder和stepladder是用来爬上爬下的设备。它们可以从一个地方移动到另一个地方。

Stairs and steps are used for going from one level to another level. They are in a fixed position.

　　Stairs和steps是用来从一层到另一层的。他们在一个固定的位置。

　　Let’s look at each one in a little more detail:

　　再来了解一下每个词的细节

A ladder is a piece of equipment that has a series of steps (also called rungs) between two upright lengths of wood or metal. It needs to be leaned against a wall or other flat surface for support in order to use it. A ladder is portable which means it can moved from one place to another location.

　　Ladder是一种设备，在两个垂直的木头或金属之间一阶一阶的。它需要靠在墙上或其他平面上才能使用。梯子是可移动的，意思就是说它可以从一个地方移动到另一个地方。

Originally most ladders were made of wood though now they are mostly made of aluminum as it is lighter.

　　起初，大多数梯子是用木头做的，但由于重量较轻，现在大多是用铝做的。

　　Extension ladder is a ladder that can be extended in height.

　　伸缩梯是一种可以在高度上伸缩的梯子。

A stepladder consists of two ladders joined together with a hinge at the top. It can support itself without needing to be leaned against something. It looks like an inverted V.

　　Stepladder由两个梯子组成，梯子顶部有铰链连接在一起。它可以支撑自己，而不需要靠在什么东西上。它看起来像一个倒V。

　　Stepladder is sometimes written as two words (step ladder).

　　Stepladder有时也可以写成两个词(step ladder)。

　　ladder和stepladder有什么区别？

　　In general a ladder needs to be supported against something.

　　通常ladder需要靠在什么东西上。

　　A stepladder doesn’t need external support. It stands by itself.

　　而stepladder不需要额外的支撑就可以立起来。

Stairs are a set of steps built between two or more floors in a building. They are fixed in position and cannot be moved.

　　Stairs是建筑中两层或两层以上楼层之间的一组台阶。它们是固定的，不能移动。

The row of posts on the side of stairs (with a wooden or metal top) is called a handrail or banister. You hold onto the handrail or banister as you go up or down the stairs so that you don’t accidentally fall down them.

　　楼梯侧面的一排柱子(顶部是木制的或金属的)被称为扶手或栏杆。上下楼梯时要抓住扶手或栏杆，这样你就不会不小心从楼梯上摔下来。

Steps are a series of fixed individual steps outside of a building. There can be a small number of steps or a large number. Steps can be narrow or very wide and they are usually made of concrete or stone.

　　Steps是建筑物外面一系列固定的独立的台阶。可以只有几阶，也可以有很多阶。台阶可以很窄，也可以很宽，通常由混凝土或石头制成。

　　The main difference is that stairs are inside and steps are outside.

　　主要的区别是stairs在内部，steps在外面。

　　附赠一个词：自动扶梯

　　An escalator is a mechanical device which has moving stairs that carry people between different floors in a large building. Escalators are common in shopping malls (or shopping centers) and department stores. Escalators are great in that people don’t have to walk up or down stairs. The escalator slowly takes them from one floor to the next.

　　自动扶梯是一种机械装置，它是可移动的楼梯，可以在大型建筑物的不同楼层之间运送人。自动扶梯在商场(或购物中心)和百货公司很常见。自动扶梯很实用，因为人们不必自己徒步上下楼梯，自动扶梯就可以慢慢地把他们从一层送到另一层。