Japanese word

階段

Pronunciation

Romajikaidan

Meaning

  • nounstairs

Example

二階へは階段で行きます。ni kai e wa kai dan de i ki ma su

I take the stairs to the second floor.

Illustration for 階段 (stairs)

More examples

この建物の階段は、幅が広くて安全です。ko no tate mono no kai dan wa haba ga hiro ku te an zen de su

The stairs in this building are wide and safe.

Core concept

Refers to a set of steps arranged for walking up or down between floors or other levels.

Common phrases

  • 階段を使うkai dan o tsuka u

    use the stairs

  • 階段を上るkai dan o nobo ru

    go up the stairs

  • 階段を下りるkai dan o o ri ru

    go down the stairs

Definition in Japanese

建物などで、段を重ねて人が上り下りする設備。tate mono na do de dan o kasa ne te hito ga nobo ri o ri su ru setsu bi

Word origin

階段 (kaidan) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 階 (kai, "floor or level") and 段 (dan, "step or tier"), so its parts describe levels and the steps connecting them.

Usage tips

  • In everyday English, take the stairs is a common alternative to take the elevator when describing movement between floors.

Word lists with this word