How to say "stage" in Japanese

• 段階だんかいJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounCovers the abstract sense: a stage, step, or phase in a process, plan, or development — the early stages of a project, at this stage of talks. It is not a physical platform.
  病気びょうきはまだ初期しょきの段階だんかいです。↗

  The disease is still in the primary stage.
• ステージJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThe loanword for a stage as a physical platform, especially for performances — think of a concert, where the stage is set up and a band performs on it.
  ジョンはステージの上うえで「イマジン」を歌うたった。↗

  John sang "Imagine" on the stage.
• 舞台ぶたいJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe stage of a theatre, concert hall, or similar venue — where performers appear before an audience. Choose this when 'stage' means the stage in a theatre rather than a step in a process.
  踊り手おどりてたちは舞台ぶたいを横切よこぎって軽々けいけいと踊おどっていった。↗

  The dancers tripped lightly across the stage.
• 宿場しゅくばCommon
  nounNot the word for a performance or a phase: it means a relay or post station, especially on an Edo-period highway — a stopping place for travellers. 'Stage' here is the old travel sense.
• 高座こうざCommon
  nounA raised platform or stage — in practice best known as the elevated seat a rakugo storyteller performs from, or a pulpit. A narrow match: use it only for such a raised stage, not theatres generally.

Choose 段階 for a stage in a process, 舞台 for a theatre or concert-hall stage, 「ステージ」 as the loanword for a platform, 高座 for a raised performer's platform, and 宿場 only for the old travel sense.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 段階だんかいstage
• ステージstage (platform)
• 舞台ぶたいstage (of a theatre, concert hall, etc.)
• 宿場しゅくばrelay station (esp. on Edo-period highway)
• 高座こうざplatform
• 宿駅しゅくえきrelay station
• 時期じきtime
• 運びはこびprogress
• 壇場だんじょうstage
• 域いきregion
• 次つぎstage
• 階かいstage (in chronostratigraphy)
• 床ゆかstage (for the narrator and the shamisen player)
• 一歩いっぽlevel
• 局面きょくめんsituation
• 段だんstage (in a process)
• 期きstage (e.g. of a disease)
• 板いたstage (i.e. at a theatre)
• ステップstep (in a process)