Readings: ダン (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: step, stairs, grade, rank, level
The left component 阝 (a variant of 阜) represents a mound or hill. The right component 殳 depicts a hand holding a stick, suggesting shaping or forming. Together, the character conveys the idea of cutting or shaping a mound to create steps or terraces.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The stroke order for 段 begins with the radical on the left (阝), followed by the strokes on the right (殳). Start with the vertical stroke, then the horizontal strokes for the left radical. For the right side, begin with the horizontal, then the hook, followed by the two short strokes.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 殳 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 9 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 6 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ダン (dan)
Common Words Using 段
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 段階 | だんかい | stage, phase, step |
| 手段 | しゅだん | means, way, measure |
| 階段 | かいだん | stairs, stairway |
| 値段 | ねだん | price |
| 一段と | いちだんと | even more, still more |
| 初段 | しょだん | first rank (e.g., in martial arts) |
| 段ボール | だんボール | cardboard (box) |
| 段差 | だんさ | step, difference in level |
| 一段落 | いちだんらく | a pause, a break, a settling down |
| 段々 | だんだん | gradually, little by little |
Example Sentences
Japanese: この階段は急なので、気をつけてください。
Kana: このかいだんはきゅうなので、きをつけてください。
Romaji: Kono kaidan wa kyū nanode, ki wo tsukete kudasai.
English: This staircase is steep, so please be careful.
Japanese: 値段が上がって、買うのが難しくなりました。
Kana: ねだんがあがって、かうのがむずかしくなりました。
Romaji: Nedan ga agatte, kau no ga muzukashiku narimashita.
English: The price has gone up, making it difficult to buy.
Japanese: 彼は柔道の初段を持っています。
Kana: かれはじゅうどうのしょだんをもっています。
Romaji: Kare wa jūdou no shodan wo motteimasu.
English: He has a first-degree black belt in Judo.
Japanese: 問題解決の次の段階に進みましょう。
Kana: もんだいかいけつのつぎのだんかいにすすみましょう。
Romaji: Mondai kaiketsu no tsugi no dankai ni susumimashou.
English: Let’s move on to the next stage of problem-solving.
Japanese: 徐々に日本語が段々上手になっています。
Kana: じょじょににほんごがだんだんじょうずになっています。
Romaji: Jojo ni Nihongo ga dandan jōzu ni natteimasu.
English: My Japanese is gradually getting better.
Japanese: この手段で目標を達成できます。
Kana: このしゅだんでめあてをたっせいできます。
Romaji: Kono shudan de mokuhyō wo tassei dekimasu.
English: We can achieve our goal by this means.
Japanese: 段ボール箱を組み立ててください。
Kana: だんボールばこをくみたててください。
Romaji: Danbōru-bako wo kumitatete kudasai.
English: Please assemble the cardboard box.
Japanese: この道は段差が多いので、注意が必要です。
Kana: このみちはだんさがおおいので、ちゅういがひつようです。
Romaji: Kono michi wa dansa ga ooi node, chūi ga hitsuyō desu.
English: This road has many steps (differences in level), so caution is needed.
Japanese: 仕事が一段落したので、休憩しましょう。
Kana: しごとがいちだんらくしたので、きゅうけいしましょう。
Romaji: Shigoto ga ichidanraku shita node, kyūkei shimashou.
English: The work has settled down a bit, so let’s take a break.
Japanese: 彼は一段と速く走れるようになった。
Kana: かれはいちだんとはやくはしれるようになった。
Romaji: Kare wa ichidan to hayaku hashireru yō ni natta.
English: He became able to run even faster.
Related Grammar & kanji list
Expand your study with grammar and kanji lists for other JLPT levels:
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.