壇(だん)

だん
noun
platform; raised stage; podium
1. platform; raised stage; podium; altar
An elevated area used for speaking, performing ceremonies, or placing offerings. Also used as a suffix in compound words referring to specific types of platforms or elevated areas.
壇(だん)に上(あ)がる。
To step up onto the platform.
花(はな)を仏壇(ぶつだん)に供(そな)えた。
I placed flowers on the Buddhist altar.
校長(こうちょう)が壇上(だんじょう)からスピーチをした。
The principal gave a speech from the stage.
2. world; circle; community (in compounds)
Used as a suffix meaning 'world' or 'community' in compounds referring to professional or artistic circles.
文壇(ぶんだん)で活躍(かつやく)する。
To be active in the literary world.
論壇(ろんだん)で注目(ちゅうもく)を集(あつ)めている。
They are attracting attention in the world of public discourse.
彼女(かのじょ)は画壇(がだん)の重鎮(じゅうちん)として知(し)られている。
She is known as a leading figure in the art world.

A versatile character that appears as a standalone word for platform/stage and as a suffix in many important compounds.

COMMON COMPOUNDS (SENSE 1 — PLATFORM):

  • 仏壇(ぶつだん): Buddhist altar
  • 壇上(だんじょう): on the stage/platform
  • 花壇(かだん): flower bed
  • 教壇(きょうだん): teacher's platform; lectern
  • 祭壇(さいだん): altar

COMMON COMPOUNDS (SENSE 2 — WORLD/CIRCLE):

  • 文壇(ぶんだん): literary world
  • 画壇(がだん): art world
  • 論壇(ろんだん): world of public discourse; forum
  • 歌壇(かだん): the world of tanka poetry
  • 政壇(せいだん): political arena

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 台(だい): stand, platform — more general and everyday; for putting things on
  • 段(だん): step, level — a homophone with different kanji; means 'step' or 'tier'
  • 舞台(ぶたい): stage — specifically a performance stage for theater or concerts
general
Added 2026.4.9 0:46
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