A step or stair (one rung or step); a vertical rise (a step) in stairs or similar structures.
階段の一段目につまずいて転んだ。
I tripped on the first step of the stairs and fell.
玄関と廊下の間に段があって、つまずきやすい。
There is a step between the entrance and the hallway, so it's easy to trip.
段差が大きい場所は車椅子では通れないことが多い。
Places with large steps are often impassable by wheelchair.
A shelf, layer, or tier (e.g., upper/middle/lower tier of a shelf or structure).
本は棚の上段に置いてあるので手が届かない。
The books are on the top shelf, so I can't reach them.
このケーキは三段重ねになっていて、見た目が豪華だ。
This cake is three tiers tall and looks luxurious.
彼は会社の組織図で上段に位置している。
He is positioned in an upper tier on the company's organizational chart.
A grade or level (a step in ability or status); used in expressions like 'one level higher'.
練習の成果で彼の実力は一段上がった。
With practice, his ability rose one level.
この問題は簡単だから、次は一段難しい問題に挑戦してみよう。
This problem is easy; next, let's try a problem one level harder.
The dan rank used in martial arts, go, shogi, etc.; a rank indicating advanced proficiency (e.g., 3-dan, 9-dan).
彼は柔道で三段を取得している。
He holds a 3rd-dan in judo.
囲碁の九段は非常に高い段位だ。
Nine-dan in go is a very high rank.
書道で段を持っていると、昇級や昇段試験がある。
If you have a dan in calligraphy, there are promotion and dan examinations.
A paragraph or passage; a unit or section of text or discourse (often appears in compounds like 段落).
次の段（段落）を読んで、要点をまとめてください。
Read the next paragraph and summarize the main points.
本文の第三段で重要な結論が述べられている。
An important conclusion is stated in the third paragraph of the text.
A column in printed layout (e.g., newspaper/magazine columns); used in expressions like 'three-column layout'.
この新聞は三段組みで印刷されている。
This newspaper is printed in a three-column layout.
見出しを大きくして、二段組みに直した。
I enlarged the headline and changed it to a two-column layout.
An act or section in kabuki, joruri, etc.; a division or scene of a performance.
その歌舞伎は三段から成る長い演目だ。
That kabuki play is a long piece composed of three acts.
舞台の第三段が一番の見せ場だった。
The third act of the play was the main highlight.
A row of the multiplication table (e.g., the 'five times' row: 'five's dan').
九九の五の段を小学生に教えた。
I taught elementary students the five-times table.
A stage or phase in a process; a particular occasion or situation (often used in the compound 段階).
プロジェクトはようやく最終段階に入った。
The project has finally entered its final stage.
まだ初期の段階なので、仕様は変わる可能性がある。
Since it's still an early stage, the specifications may change.
A formal or literary term meaning 'matter' or 'occasion', used in expressions like '...の段' (somewhat formal/old-fashioned).
先日の件の段、改めてお礼申し上げます。
Regarding the matter the other day, I would like to express my thanks again.
Degree or extent; used in idiomatic expressions such as '...どころの段ではない' to indicate intensity beyond expectation.
あの事故は軽いどころの段ではなく、大規模だった。
That accident was far from minor; it was large-scale.
冗談どころの段ではない深刻な問題だ。
This is a serious problem, not something to joke about.
A counter for breaks or sections in written language or speech (e.g., 'one section').
この長い説明は二段に分けて話してください。
Please split this long explanation into two parts when you speak.