段階的

• Reading: だんかいてき
• Romaji: dankaiteki
• Kanji breakdown: 段 (dan) — step, grade, tier; 階 (kai) — floor, stage, rank; 的 (teki) — -like, adjectival suffix
• Pronunciation: /daɴ.ka.i.te.ki/

Meaning

Incremental; step-by-step; gradual. Describes something done in well-defined stages or phases.

A な-adjective formed from 段階 (stage, phase) plus 的. Emphasises a structured, phased approach rather than all-at-once change. Often used in policy discussions, business strategy, and project management. Can also be used adverbially with に (段階的に).

Examples

1. 段階的に規制を緩和する予定だ。 We plan to ease regulations incrementally.
2. 段階的なアプローチで問題を解決した。 We solved the problem with a step-by-step approach.
3. 新システムへの移行は段階的に行われる。 The transition to the new system will be carried out in phases.

Usage Guide

Context: business, policy, project management

Tone: methodical

Origin & History

From 段階 (step, stage) plus 的 (adjectival suffix). 段 originally referred to steps carved in stone, giving the word a concrete image of climbing one step at a time.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Professional