How to say "stair" in Japanese

• 段だんJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, counterCovers a single step or stair in a flight, as well as steps generally. This is the everyday word you want when counting or pointing to individual stairs, such as one step on a staircase.
  彼かれは階段かいだんを一度いちどに三さん段だんずつかけあがった。↗

  He jumped up the steps three at a time.
• ステア
  nounThe loanword for 'stair' itself. It matches the English word directly but is uncommon in ordinary Japanese, so it is seldom the word you actually want; prefer 段 for stairs.
• 梯子段はしごだん
  nounMeans a stairway or staircase of ladder-like, steeply set steps. It is a less common word, suited to steep stepped passages rather than ordinary household stairs.

For an individual step use 段; 「ステア」 is simply the loanword 'stair' and is uncommon; 梯子段 refers to a staircase, especially ladder-like stepladder stairs.

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

• 段だんstep
• ステアstair
• 梯子段はしごだんstep