段

• Reading: だん
• Romaji: dan
• Kanji breakdown: 段 (dan) — step, grade, rank, tier
• Pronunciation: /da.n/

Meaning

Step; stair; grade; rank; level. A unit of progression or measurement.

A versatile noun and counter. Refers to physical steps/stairs (階段の段, stair steps), martial arts ranks (黒帯三段, 3rd degree black belt), shelves or tiers (棚の三段目, third shelf), and figurative levels or stages. As a counter, counts steps, stages, or levels.

Examples

1. 階段を三段飛ばして上がった。 I ran up the stairs skipping three steps at a time.
2. 彼は柔道の三段を持っている。 He holds a third-degree black belt in judo.
3. 本棚の一番上の段に辞書がある。 The dictionary is on the top shelf of the bookcase.

Usage Guide

Context: martial arts, buildings, organization

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 段 combines 殳 (shu, strike) and a cliff element, suggesting carved steps in a hillside. Originally meant 'steps cut into rock,' later extended to ranks and levels.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal