段位|だんいdan'i[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noundan rank (in martial arts, go, etc.); advanced rank; grade of black belt

• Synonym等位とういWrittenWritten/formal. Rank or equal standing, but little used; it does not specifically denote dan ranks in martial arts or go.
• Related級きゅうNeutralNeutral. The kyu ranks below dan in martial arts and go, as in 「初段の下は1級」; also grades and levels in general, such as school years.
• Related位置いちNeutralNeutral. A place or position, leaning toward where something or someone is located; different from the skill rank of 「段位」.
• RelatedグレードNeutralNeutral loanword. The grade or tier of products and hotels, as in 「グレードアップ」; not used for martial arts.
• Related段階だんかいNeutralNeutral. A stage or step in a process, or a level set by some standard; it does not refer to the dan-ranking system itself.
• Related程度ていどNeutralNeutral. Degree or level, as in 「この程度」; measures how much or how well, not a formal rank.
• Related地位ちいNeutralNeutral. Social position or status, leaning toward posts and standing in society; different from a skill-based dan rank.
• Related階級かいきゅうNeutralNeutral. Class or rank, leaning toward military ranks and social classes, as in 「階級社会」.
• Related階層かいそうWrittenWritten/formal. Social strata or building floors; leans toward structural layers within a hierarchy.
• Related品位ひんいWrittenWritten/formal. Dignity and refinement, also the fineness of gold or silver; leans toward degree of elegance.
• RelatedクラスNeutralNeutral loanword. A school class or a grade of service, as in 「ファーストクラス」.
• Related等とうNeutralNeutral. Rank or order, mostly as a suffix, as in 「一等賞」; leans toward placing in a ranking.
• Related品等ひんとうWrittenWritten/formal and rare. The quality grade of goods; leans toward merchandise.

Use 「段位」 for dan ranks awarded for skill in go, shogi, judo, kendo and the like, as in 「段位を取る」. Ranks below 「初段」 are 「級」; for the grade of products or hotels use 「グレード」, and for social standing use 「地位」. The rest describe general levels, stages or classes and do not name the dan system.

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

1. 技量ぎりょうの等級とうきゅうを表あらわす位くらい。