step · grade

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 段 has 9 strokes and appears in words for stages and prices.
• Basic usage: 値段 is read ねだん, and 段階 is read だんかい.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Price and a stage of progress
  • 鞄の値段 means the price of a bag.
  • 準備の段階 means the preparation stage.
• Dividing work into stages
  • 作業を三つの段階に分けて means dividing work into three stages and then continuing.
  • を marks what is divided, while に marks the resulting divisions.