noun, counter
A physical step in stairs or a ladder; also used as a counter for individual steps.
階段を一段ずつ上った。
I went up the stairs one step at a time.
はしごの段に足をかけた。
He put his foot on a rung of the ladder.
noun, counter
A horizontal level in something arranged in layers, such as shelves, tiers, stacked food, or displays.
辞書は本棚の上の段にあります。
The dictionary is on the upper shelf of the bookcase.
三段のケーキがテーブルに置かれていた。
A three-tiered cake was on the table.
noun
An abstract level or class, often in comparisons such as 段が違う, meaning someone or something is on a different level.
彼の演奏は他の学生とは段が違う。
His performance is on a different level from the other students'.
noun, counter
dan rank; advanced rank
A rank or degree of advanced proficiency in martial arts, go, shogi, and similar systems; commonly counted as 初段, 二段, 三段, etc.
彼は柔道三段だ。
He holds a third-dan rank in judo.
noun
paragraph; passage; division in writing or speech
As a noun, a paragraph or passage; as a counter, it can count breaks or divisions in written language or speech.
次の段を読んで、質問に答えなさい。
Read the next paragraph and answer the questions.
スピーチを三段に分けて話した。
She divided the speech into three parts.
noun, counter
column of print
Used in printing and layout for columns of text, especially in compounds such as 二段組み.
この雑誌は本文が二段組みになっている。
The main text of this magazine is set in two columns.
noun, counter
A section or act in traditional performing arts such as kabuki and jōruri; often appears as 一段目, 七段目, and similar labels.
『仮名手本忠臣蔵』の七段目は有名だ。
The seventh act of Kanadehon Chūshingura is famous.
noun
row of the multiplication table; times-table row
Used for a row in the Japanese multiplication table, as in 九九の五の段, 'the five-times table'.
九九の七の段を何度も練習した。
I practiced the seven-times table again and again.
noun
stage; phase; occasion; moment
A stage or point reached in a process or situation, often in expressions such as 実行の段に入る or という段になって.
計画はいよいよ実行の段に入った。
The plan has finally entered the implementation stage.
出発という段になって雨が降り出した。
Just when we were about to leave, it started raining.
noun
Formal or literary use in the pattern ...の段, especially in ceremonial or written greetings and notices.
このたびご栄転の段、心よりお祝い申し上げます。
On the occasion of your promotion, I offer my heartfelt congratulations.
noun
Limited mainly to fixed negative expressions such as ...どころの段ではない and ...という段じゃない, meaning that the matter is far beyond that degree or not the time for that.
今は冗談を言っている段じゃない。
This is no time for joking.
Refers to a staircase as a whole; 段 can refer to an individual step, rung, tier, or abstract level.
Means a stage or phase in a process more explicitly; 段 is shorter and also has many physical, rank, and counter uses.
Used for classes or ranks, often below dan level in martial arts and games; 段 usually marks more advanced ranks.
Means a column, field, or section in a form or publication; 段 in printing refers to a column layout such as 二段組み.
Sino-Japanese だん written with 段. The spelling is conventionally associated with steps, levels, and divisions; the precise historical graphic derivation is not specified.