段取り

• Reading: だんどり
• Romaji: dandori
• Kanji breakdown: 段 (dan) — step, stage, level; 取 (tori) — take, handle
• Pronunciation: /daɴ.do.ɾi/

Meaning

Arrangements; planning; the steps or procedure for getting something done.

Refers to the process of organising tasks in proper order, making preparations, and setting up a plan of action. Very common in workplace Japanese and project management. Having good 段取り is considered a key professional skill in Japanese business culture.

Examples

1. イベントの段取りを事前にしっかり決めておこう。 Let's nail down the arrangements for the event well in advance.
2. 段取りよく進めれば一日で終わるはずだ。 If things proceed smoothly, it should be finished in a day.
3. 引っ越しの段取りをノートにまとめた。 I wrote down all the steps for the move in a notebook.

Usage Guide

Context: business, daily life, project management, events

Tone: practical

Origin & History

Originally a kabuki theatre term referring to the arrangement of acts and scenes in a play. The kanji 段 (dan, step/stage) + 取り (tori, taking/handling) suggest 'handling things step by step.' Extended to general usage meaning planning and preparation.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal