• 段階だんかい — stage / phase
• 階段かいだん — stairs
• 手段しゅだん — means / method
• 一段いちだん — one level / one step
• 上段じょうだん — upper level
• 下段げだん — lower level

段 expresses discrete levels or steps, literal (stairs) and figurative (ranks, phases). The 殳 radical hints at action/progression, aligning with moving through stages.

In martial arts grading, 段 marks proficiency levels: e.g., 初段、三段、八段.