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段
step · stair · grade · rank · paragraph
N3On: だん
Memory Aid
The kanji for STEP/STAIR looks like a series of steps or levels. The left part (⺖, an archaic form of 'hand' or 'again') represents the repeated action of stepping, and the right part (殳, a 'weapon' or 'tool' component) suggests something solid or carved, like a finished step.
'Dan' — Imagine a person named DAN taking a STEP up the STAIRS, achieving a new RANK.
Vocabulary
階段かいだんstairs, stairway
段階だんかいstage, phase, step
手段しゅだんmeans, way, measure
段ボールだんボールcardboard
初段しょだんfirst degree black belt (martial arts), first stage
Example Sentences
彼は毎日、階段を上っています。
He climbs the stairs every day.
プロジェクトは次の段階に進んでいます。
The project is moving to the next stage.
問題解決の新しい手段を探しましょう。
Let's look for new means to solve the problem.
彼は柔道の二段を持っています。
He holds a second-degree black belt in Judo.