跻身（于）…（之列）
to rise into the ranks of; to join (a top group)
Structure
主语 跻身（于） 群体／名单 （之列／行列）
What it means
To rise into the ranks of a higher group by achievement: 跻 (jī) is to climb, so 跻身 is to get oneself into a top list, circle or rank.
How it is built
Subject + 跻身（于）+ rank／list + 之列／行列: 这家小公司已经跻身全国百强企业之列 (The small firm has joined the ranks of the country's top hundred companies). 于 is optional and bookish.
When to use it
Written and formal, typical of news and reports. Objects are ranks or lists: 世界前列, 百强, 一流大学, 发达国家. In everyday speech say 进入 or 成为…之一.
Watch out
Always a step up, never a bad group or a physical place: ✗跻身房间 ✓走进房间. Write 跻, not 挤: ✗挤身 is a common slip.
Examples
北京马拉松等赛事已经跻身世界田联金标赛事之列。
The Beijing Marathon and others have joined the ranks of World Athletics Gold Label races.
经过十年发展，这家小公司已经跻身全国百强企业之列。
After ten years of growth, the small firm has joined the ranks of the country’s top hundred companies.
她凭这部电影跻身一线明星的行列。
With this film she rose into the front rank of stars.
Learn this in Lesson 146 · HSK 7–9: 马拉松热 (Marathon fever)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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