1.
paragraph; section
A distinct section of a piece of writing, usually dealing with a single theme or idea.
次の段落を読んでください。
Please read the next paragraph.
この文章は三つの段落に分かれている。
This passage is divided into three paragraphs.
作文を書くときは段落の分け方に注意しましょう。
When writing an essay, pay attention to how you divide paragraphs.
2.
end of a phase; conclusion of a stage
A natural stopping point or conclusion of a process or task. Often used in the expression 一段落 to mean reaching a point where one can pause.
仕事が一段落した。
The work has reached a stopping point.
引っ越しの準備がやっと一段落ついた。
The preparations for moving have finally settled down.
忙しい時期が一段落したら、旅行に行きたい。
Once the busy period wraps up, I want to go on a trip.
Has two distinct uses: as a writing term for paragraph, and in the compound 一段落 meaning the end of a phase.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 段落を分ける (to divide into paragraphs)
- 一段落つく (to reach a stopping point)
- 一段落する (to settle down, to wrap up a phase)
READING NOTE:
The compound 一段落 is traditionally read いちだんらく, though the reading ひとだんらく is also widely used in spoken Japanese.