Translation guide
A stepping stone can be a physical stone used to cross water, or a metaphorical step that helps you reach a goal. Japanese uses different words for the literal object and the figurative meaning, and the figurative use often appears in set phrases.
A flat stone placed in a path or shallow water to walk on.
I arranged stepping stones in the garden.
Literally 'jumping stones', often used for spaced stones in a Japanese garden or across water. Can also be used metaphorically.
I cross the pond using the stepping stones.
Something that helps you progress toward a goal, often a temporary step.
Literally 'a foothold toward ~'. Very common for describing a stepping stone to a larger goal.
This job is a stepping stone to my future career.
Uses the English loanword 'step'. Common in business and casual contexts.
That experience became a stepping stone to success.
Literally 'step stool' or 'springboard'. Often implies using something or someone as a means to advance, sometimes with a negative nuance.
Can sound negative if used about people, implying exploitation.
A more formal or motivational phrase meaning 'a step for a leap forward'.
踏み石 (fumiishi) is the general word for a stepping stone, while 飛び石 (tobiishi) emphasizes the gaps between stones and is strongly associated with Japanese gardens. For literal use, 踏み石 is safer; 飛び石 is more poetic.
I placed stepping stones to make it easier to walk.
The gaps between the stepping stones are too wide.
The English phrase 'stepping stone' is often used figuratively, but directly translating it as 踏み石 in figurative contexts sounds unnatural. Use 足がかり or ステップ instead.
This internship is a stepping stone to the future.
He used that company as a stepping stone to start his own business.
Studying abroad is a stepping stone for a leap forward.