Translation and Meaning of: 段 - dan

The Japanese word 段[だん] may seem simple at first glance, but it carries meanings and uses that go beyond the basics. Whether you are a Japanese learner or someone curious about the language, understanding this word can open doors to more precise communication and even to interesting cultural insights. In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and contexts in which 段 is used, as well as practical tips for memorizing it.

Have you ever wondered how the Japanese use 段 in everyday life? Or why it appears in so many different contexts, from stairs to skill levels? Here, we will answer these questions and more, always based on reliable sources and real examples. If you are looking to truly learn Japanese, the Suki Nihongo dictionary is a great tool to complement your studies.

Meaning and uses of 段

段 is a versatile term that can mean "step," "level," or "stage," depending on the context. In everyday situations, it is often used to refer to steps of stairs, as in the phrase 階段の段[かいだんのだん] (the steps of the stairs). But its usage does not stop there. In martial arts, for example, 段 indicates the skill level of a practitioner, as in 初段[しょだん] (first dan).

Additionally, 段 also appears in expressions like 一段落[いちだんらく], which means "a pause" or "a break." This variety of meanings shows how the word is rooted in different aspects of Japanese life, from the physical to the abstract. If you are learning Japanese, paying attention to these contexts can help you fix the vocabulary more naturally.

Origin and writing of the kanji 段

The kanji 段 is composed of the radical 殳 (which indicates action related to strikes or movements) and the component 旦 (which refers to "dawn" or "surface"). This combination suggests the idea of "steps" or "divisions," which makes sense considering its current meanings. The origin of the kanji is linked to the notion of segmentation, whether in physical steps or in abstract stages.

It is worth noting that 段 is not one of the more complex kanji, but its pronunciation can vary in compounds. For example, in 手段[しゅだん] (means, method), the reading changes to だん, while in 段階[だんかい] (phase, stage), it remains the same. These variations are common in Japanese and emphasize the importance of studying kanji in context, not in isolation.

Tips for memorizing and using 段

An effective way to memorize 段 is to associate it with concrete images. Think of a staircase: each step is a 段, and going up or down represents progress or regression. This visual analogy can help reinforce the main meaning of the word. Another tip is to practice with everyday sentences, like この段を上がってください[このだんをあがってください] ("Please, go up this step").

Additionally, 段 is often used in contexts of learning and development. If you practice any sport or martial art, you may have heard of "dan levels," as in judo or karate. This connection with practical activities can make learning more meaningful. Remember: the more you relate the word to real situations, the easier it will be to recall it when you need it.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 階段 (kaidan) - Stairs
• 段階 (dankai) - Stage or level in a process
• レベル (reberu) - Level, used in contexts of skill or graduation
• 層 (sou) - Layer, or stratum, can refer to layers in a structure.
• 節 (setsu) - Section or division can refer to a junction point in something.

段

Romaji: dan
Kana: だん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: step; ladder; flight of steps; degree; classification; level

Meaning in English: step;stair;flight of steps;grade;rank;level

Definition: Something that has a certain length and width and is divided into independent compacts.

Example Sentences - (段) dan

See below some example sentences:

控除は税金を減らすための重要な手段です。

Koujo wa zeikin wo herasu tame no juuyou na shudan desu

Deductions are an important means of reducing taxes.

The deduction is an important means of reducing taxes.

• 控除 - means "deduction" in Japanese.
• は - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 税金 - means "tax" in Japanese.
• を - is a grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 減らす - means "decrease" in Japanese.
• ため - means "to" or "in order to" in Japanese.
• の - is a grammatical particle that indicates possession or attribution.
• 重要な - means "important" in Japanese.
• 手段 - means "middle" or "way" in Japanese.
• です - is a polite way of stating something in Japanese.

階段を上がってください。

Kaidan wo agatte kudasai

Walk up the stairs.

Walk up the stairs.

• 階段 - It means "ladder" in Japanese.
• を - It is an object particle in Japanese, indicating that "階段" is the object of the action.
• 上がって - It is the imperative form of the verb 上がる (agaru), which means "to go up".
• ください - It is a request expression in Japanese, which can be translated as "please."

鉄道は日本の交通手段の一つです。

Tetsudou wa Nihon no koutsu shudan no hitotsu desu

The railways are one of the means of transportation in Japan.

The railway is one of Japan's means of transport.

• 鉄道 - Means "railway" in Japanese.
• は - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "railroad".
• 日本 - Means "Japan" in Japanese.
• の - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates possession or belonging, in this case, "of Japan".
• 交通手段 - means "means of transport" in Japanese.
• の - again, it indicates possession or belonging, in this case, "of means of transport".
• 一つ - means "one" in Japanese, in this case, "one of the means of transport".
• です - It is a polite way to say "is" in Japanese.

私たちは階段を上がる。

Watashitachi wa kaidan wo agaru

We are going up the stairs.

We go upstairs.

• 私たちは - 私たち
• 階段を - "escada" in Japanese, followed by the particle "wo" indicating the direct object of the action
• 上がる - "subir" in Japanese, indicating the action being performed

段々上手になります。

Dandan jouzu ni narimasu

I am gradually improving.

Gradually it will become better.

• 段々 (dan dan) - gradually
• 上手 (jouzu) - skilled, good at something
• に (ni) - particle that indicates how something is done
• なります (narimasu) - To become

段階を踏んで成長する。

Dankai wo funde seichou suru

Grow step by step in stages.

Grow in step.

• 段階 (dan-kai) - stages, phases
• を (wo) - object particle
• 踏んで (funde) - step, walk over
• 成長する (seichou suru) - grow, develop

攻撃は最後の手段だ。

Kougeki wa saigo no shudan da

The attack is the last resort.

The attack is a last resort.

• 攻撃 - It means "attack" in Japanese.
• は - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "attack".
• 最後 - It means "last" in Japanese.
• の - It is a grammatical particle that indicates possession or belonging.
• 手段 - It means "means" or "method" in Japanese.
• だ - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the end of the sentence and can be translated as "is" or "to be."

手段は目的を達成するための重要な要素です。

Shudan wa mokuteki o tassei suru tame no juuyou na youso desu

The means are an important element in achieving a goal.

A means is an important factor in achieving your goals.

• 手段 (shudan) - means
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 目的 (mokuteki) - objective
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 達成する (tassei suru) - Achieve, accomplish
• ための (tame no) - from, to
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 要素 (yousou) - element
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

対話は相手を理解するための重要な手段です。

Taidowa wa aite o rikai suru tame no juuyou na shudan desu

Dialogue is an important means of understanding the other person.

Dialogue is an important means to understand the other person.

• 対話 (taiwa) - dialogue
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 相手 (aite) - another person, interlocutor
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 理解する (rikai suru) - Understand
• ための (tame no) - for
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 手段 (shudan) - middle, method
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

この商品の値段は高すぎる。

Kono shouhin no nedan wa takasugiru

The price of this product is too high.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 商品 - noun meaning "product" or "merchandise"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 値段 - noun meaning "price" or "value"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 高すぎる - adjective meaning "very expensive" or "very high"