段

JLPT N3

Step, stage

Readings

On’yomi: ダン (dan)

Structure

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Composition: Purchase the course for full access of this content.

Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

段

だん

step

段階

だんかい

stage

手段

しゅだん

means

初段

しょだん

first rank

高段

こうだん

high rank

Example Sentences

段を上がります。

だんをあがります。

I go up a step.

段階的です。

だんかいてきです。

It is gradual.

手段を選びます。

しゅだんをえらびます。

I choose a method.

初段です。

しょだんです。

It is first rank.

高段者です。

こうだんしゃです。

He is high rank.

Cultural Note

🥋 In Japan, “段” is often used in martial arts to represent ranks or grades (e.g., 黒帯三段 – 3rd-degree black belt).
It symbolizes achievement and progress through stages — a cultural reflection of valuing step-by-step mastery.