French word

dan

Pronunciation

IPA/dan/

Meaning

  • masculine nounrank

Example

Le dan indique un niveau dans les arts martiaux.

The rank indicates a level in martial arts.

Illustration for dan (rank)

More examples

Il a obtenu son premier dan l'année dernière.

He earned his first dan last year.

Core concept

A numbered level on a skill ladder in martial arts or a game such as go.

Common phrases

  • premier dan

    first dan

  • obtenir le dan

    earn a dan rank

Similar words

niveau: A level indicating the degree of ability or technical skill.
ceinture: A martial arts belt whose color indicates rank.

Definition in French

Rang numéroté d'origine japonaise (par ex. « premier dan ») servant à mesurer le niveau de pratique dans des arts comme le judo ou des jeux comme le go.

Word origin

French dan is borrowed from Japanese dan, the term for a numbered rank in systems that measure attainment.

Usage tips

  • Dan is masculine in French, so the usual form is un dan and ordinal phrases include premier dan.

Opposites

  • kyukyu ranknoun

Word lists with this word