ステップ
suteppu[sɨ̥te̞p̚pɯ̟]
The English word 'step' can be translated into Japanese as ステップ (suteppu).
ステップ refers to a distinct part of a process, a stage or a phase. It is also frequently used to describe dance moves. A common compound form is スモールステップ (small step), which is used when referring to breaking down a large task into manageable, incremental stages.
Meaning: a distinct part of a process, stage, phase (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
suteppu
Did you know?
- The word ステップ has two completely different origins. One comes from the English 'step' for processes and dance, while the other comes from the Russian word степь for a grassland.
- While English speakers use 'step' to describe a physical stair, Japanese speakers almost always use the native word 階段 (kaidan) for stairs. Using ステップ to mean a physical step or stair in a building would sound very unnatural to a native speaker.
- While ステップ describes a stage in a process, Japanese uses a specific word 段取り (dandori) to describe the act of planning those steps or preparing the sequence of a task.
Examples in context
- 何事もスモールステップが大事ですよ。It's important to go at things step by step.This sentence is useful for illustrating the use of ステップ within the compound term スモールステップ.Tatoeba #9595370 by Sim5634, translation #10450339 by DJ_Saidez
- 静かな足音Quiet footsteps
- 一歩ずつ進むTo move forward step by step
- 人生の歩みThe steps of life or life's journey
- 歩みを止めずに、一歩ずつ前に進みましょう。Let's keep moving forward, step by step.
- 次のステップに進みましょう。Tsugi no suteppu ni susumimashō.Let's move on to the next step.
- このステップはとても重要です。Kono suteppu wa totemo jūyō desu.This step is very important.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a new project workflow.
- 大翔 Hiroto新しいプロジェクトのステップを確認しましたか？Atarashii purojekuto no suteppu o kakunin shimashita ka?Have you checked the steps for the new project?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、準備はできています。Hai, junbi wa dekite imasu.Yes, I am ready.
- 大翔 Hirotoでは、最初のステップから始めましょう。Dewa, saisho no suteppu kara hajimemashō.Then, let's start from the first step.
- 結衣 Yui分かりました。頑張りましょう。Wakarimashita. Ganbarimashō.Understood. Let's do our best.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ステップ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ステップ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
