Meaning and Usage
"階段" (かいだん) means "stairs" or "staircase" and refers to a set of steps connecting different floors or levels in a building or structure. It is a common noun used in everyday conversation.
Common Collocations
- 階段を上る (かいだんをのぼる): to go up the stairs
- 階段を下りる (かいだんをおりる): to go down the stairs
- 階段を使う (かいだんをつかう): to use the stairs
These phrases are frequently used when giving directions or describing movement between floors.
Register and Politeness
"階段" is a neutral term suitable for both casual and formal contexts. It is commonly used in spoken and written Japanese.
Tips for Learners
Be careful not to confuse "階段" with "エスカレーター" (escalator) or "エレベーター" (elevator). When talking about moving between floors, specifying "階段" clearly indicates using the stairs.
Also, "階段" can be used metaphorically in expressions like "階段を上る" meaning to advance or progress step by step, but this is less common in daily conversation.