段
Meanings
A physical step in stairs or a ladder; also used as a counter for individual steps.
I went up the stairs one step at a time.
He put his foot on a rung of the ladder.
A horizontal level in something arranged in layers, such as shelves, tiers, stacked food, or displays.
The dictionary is on the upper shelf of the bookcase.
A three-tiered cake was on the table.
An abstract level or class, often in comparisons such as 段が違う, meaning someone or something is on a different level.
His performance is on a different level from the other students'.
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.
He holds a third-dan rank in judo.
column of print
Used in printing and layout for columns of text, especially in compounds such as 二段組み.
The main text of this magazine is set in two columns.
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'.
I practiced the seven-times table again and again.
Formal or literary use in the pattern ...の段, especially in ceremonial or written greetings and notices.
On the occasion of your promotion, I offer my heartfelt congratulations.
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.
This is no time for joking.
Usage patterns· 7
- 段を踏み外すto miss a step (on stairs)
I missed a step on the stairs and fell.
- 〈数〉段の棚a shelf with ~ tiers or levels
I lined up books on a three-tier shelf.
- 〈物〉と〈物〉は段が違うX and Y are on completely different levels
His piano skill is on a totally different level from mine.
- 〈数〉段を持つto hold a rank of ~ dan
He holds a third-dan rank in judo.
- 九九の〈数〉の段the ~-times table (in multiplication)
I can't seem to memorize the seven-times table.
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- 〈事〉の段になってwhen it comes down to actually doing ~
When it came time to actually carry it out, I suddenly felt anxious.
- 〈事〉という段ではないit's not the time or situation for ~
This is not the time to be playing around.
Expressions· 7
- 普段からon a routine basis; regularly; habitually
- 段を取るget a black belt; obtain a dan rank
- 段飛ばしskipping steps on stairs
- 一段落つけるsettle for the time being; complete the first stage
- 手段を選ばずにby any means, fair or foul
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- 手段を選ばないto do whatever it takes; to use any means necessary; to stop at nothing
- 目的のためには手段を選ばないthe end justifies the means; willing to do anything to achieve one's goal