duàn: 段 - Section, Segment, Paragraph, Period (of time)

• Keywords: duan, 段, Chinese measure word, section, segment, paragraph, period of time, stage, level, Chinese for section, what does duan mean, 一段
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese character 段 (duàn), a versatile term used as both a noun and a crucial measure word. This page breaks down how to use `段` to talk about a section of a road, a period of time, a paragraph of text, or even a stage in a relationship. Understand its core meaning, see practical examples, and avoid common mistakes to master one of the most useful characters for dividing the world into manageable parts.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): duàn
• Part of Speech: Measure Word, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: A section, segment, piece, or part of something continuous; also used as a measure word for such parts.
• In a Nutshell: Think of `段 (duàn)` as a way to chop up something large and continuous into a manageable “chunk” or “segment.” This “something” can be physical, like a road (`一段路`), abstract, like time (`一段时间`), or written, like a text (`一段话`). It's the go-to word for expressing “a piece of…” when that piece is part of a longer whole.

• 段 (duàn): The character is a phono-semantic compound. The left side, 殳 (shū), is a radical that originally depicted an ancient long weapon or a hand striking with a tool. This gives `段` the core idea of “striking” or “breaking.” Therefore, `段` carries the intrinsic meaning of something being cut, broken, or divided into pieces or sections.

While `段` is a functional word, its broad usage reveals a practical and organized way of conceptualizing the world. It segments experiences, journeys, and even skill into measurable units. A helpful comparison is to English words like “stretch,” “spell,” and “passage.” In English, we use different words for different contexts: a “stretch” of road, a “spell” of warm weather, a “passage” of a book. In Chinese, the measure word `段` elegantly covers all these concepts, highlighting a linguistic efficiency. You can have `一段路` (a stretch of road), `一段时间` (a period of time), and `一段话` (a passage of text). Furthermore, `段` is used in a culturally specific way to denote skill levels in martial arts or the game of Go (围棋 - wéiqí), such as `黑带三段` (hēidài sān duàn), a third-degree black belt. This reflects a structured, hierarchical view of mastering a skill, where progress is marked by advancing through distinct stages or `段`.

`段` is extremely common in daily life. Its usage primarily falls into two categories.

This is its primary function for beginners. It's always used in the structure: `一 + 段 + Noun` (a segment of [noun]).

• For Text/Speech: `一段话` (a passage of speech), `一段文字` (a piece of text), `一段故事` (a story).
• For Time/Experience: `一段时间` (a period of time), `一段往事` (a memory from the past), `一段感情` (a romantic relationship).
• For Physical Things: `一段路` (a section of road), `一段距离` (a distance), `一段视频` (a video clip), `一段旋律` (a melody).

While it can mean “section” on its own, it's more common to see it as part of a two-character word.

• `段落 (duànluò)` - paragraph
• `阶段 (jiēduàn)` - stage, phase
• `手段 (shǒuduàn)` - means, method (can have a negative connotation of being a “scheme” or “trick”)

• Example 1:
  • 请你朗读课文的第一段。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng nǐ lǎngdú kèwén de dì-yī duàn.
  • English: Please read the first paragraph of the text aloud.
  • Analysis: Here, `段` is used as a measure word for `课文` (text), specifically referring to a paragraph.
• Example 2:
  • 我需要一段时间冷静一下。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào yī duàn shíjiān lěngjìng yīxià.
  • English: I need a period of time to calm down.
  • Analysis: A classic example of using `段` to quantify an abstract concept like time.
• Example 3:
  • 这段路正在修，我们得绕道走。
  • Pinyin: Zhè duàn lù zhèngzài xiū, wǒmen děi ràodào zǒu.
  • English: This section of the road is under construction, we have to take a detour.
  • Analysis: `段` is used here for a physical segment of a continuous path.
• Example 4:
  • 他给我讲了一段关于他童年的有趣故事。
  • Pinyin: Tā gěi wǒ jiǎngle yī duàn guānyú tā tóngnián de yǒuqù gùshì.
  • English: He told me an interesting story about his childhood.
  • Analysis: `段` is used for a narrative or story, treating it as a “segment” of experience.
• Example 5:
  • 他们刚结束了一段很复杂的感情。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen gāng jiéshùle yī duàn hěn fùzá de gǎnqíng.
  • English: They just ended a very complicated relationship.
  • Analysis: This shows `段` can be used for a life experience like a relationship, marking it as a distinct period.
• Example 6:
  • 这首歌曲的副歌那段特别好听。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shǒu gēqǔ de fùgē nà duàn tèbié hǎotīng.
  • English: The chorus part of this song is especially nice to listen to.
  • Analysis: `段` can refer to a segment of a piece of music.
• Example 7:
  • 我们的项目目前处于关键阶段。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de xiàngmù mùqián chǔyú guānjiàn jiēduàn.
  • English: Our project is currently in a critical stage.
  • Analysis: Here `段` is part of the noun `阶段 (jiēduàn)`, meaning “stage” or “phase.”
• Example 8:
  • 我只记得那场梦的一小段。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhǐ jìde nà chǎng mèng de yī xiǎo duàn.
  • English: I only remember a small fragment of that dream.
  • Analysis: `段` can be modified by adjectives like `小` (small) to indicate the size of the segment.
• Example 9:
  • 你看完这段视频后有什么想法？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kàn wán zhè duàn shìpín hòu yǒu shénme xiǎngfǎ?
  • English: What are your thoughts after watching this video clip?
  • Analysis: `段` is the perfect measure word for a clip or segment of a longer video.
• Example 10:
  • 他是我们公司里公认的围棋九段高手。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì wǒmen gōngsī lǐ gōngrèn de wéiqí jiǔ duàn gāoshǒu.
  • English: He is the recognized 9-dan Go master in our company.
  • Analysis: A great cultural example showing `段` used to denote a high level of skill in the game of Go.

• Mistake 1: Confusing `段 (duàn)` with `节 (jié)`.
  • `节 (jié)` is used for more clearly demarcated, standardized units, like `一节课` (a class period), `一节车厢` (a train carriage), or `一节电池` (a battery). `段 (duàn)` is for segments of something continuous that are conceptually, rather than physically, divided.
  • Incorrect: ~~我今天上了三段课。~~ (I had three “segments” of class today.)
  • Correct: 我今天上了三节课。 (I had three class periods today.)
  • Correct: 我们休息了一段时间。 (We rested for a period of time.)
• Mistake 2: Using it for whole, countable items.
  • `段` is for a *part* of something, not the whole thing.
  • Incorrect: ~~我读了一段书。~~ (This sounds like you read a “section of book,” which is awkward.)
  • Correct: 我读了一本书。 (I read a book.)
  • Correct: 我读了书的第一章，第三段。 (I read the first chapter, third paragraph of the book.)

• 节 (jié) - A measure word for discrete sections or periods (like a class period or train car). More formal and structured than `段`.
• 篇 (piān) - A measure word specifically for complete articles, essays, or short written works.
• 章 (zhāng) - A chapter of a book; a larger unit than a `段`.
• 段落 (duànluò) - The formal, two-character noun for “paragraph.” `一段` is often shorthand for `一个段落`.
• 阶段 (jiēduàn) - A stage, phase, or period (e.g., in a project or in life). Uses `段` as a component.
• 片段 (piànduàn) - A fragment, snippet, or clip, often of a film, memory, or story. Emphasizes incompleteness.
• 手段 (shǒuduàn) - Means, method, or tactic. This word shows how `段` can be part of a term with a very different, often negative, connotation.