A distinct step or phase in a process, development, or plan. Often used with counters or sequential expressions.
The plan is still in the early stages.
Are you ready to move on to the next step?
A level or rank on a scale, such as skill, proficiency, or classification. Often used in educational, professional, or evaluative contexts.
His Japanese has reached an advanced level.
Classes are divided into levels based on exam results.
Used in contexts where things are arranged in a specific order or hierarchy. Less common than the stage/level senses.
The procedure must be carried out in the proper order.
Rare or archaic use for stairs; modern Japanese normally uses 階段 (かいだん). Cross-referenced with 階段.
See also: 階段
In old documents, 段階 can mean stairs, but in modern Japanese 階段 is used.
We will carry out the plan divided into three stages.
We can't make a judgment at this stage.
Since the preparations are done, we're moving on to the next stage.
This test is graded on a five-level scale.