also: かだん
noun
lower tier; lower step; lower berth; bottom shelf
Refers to the lower part of a multi-level structure: a lower bunk, lower shelf, lower row, or lower step. Common in everyday contexts.
寝台列車の下段の寝台を予約した。
I reserved a lower berth on the sleeper train.
本棚の下段に辞書を置いている。
I keep dictionaries on the bottom shelf of the bookcase.
noun
low stance (in kendo, etc.)
Martial arts term for a low guard position where the sword tip is pointed downward. Also used in other weapon arts.
剣道の試合で、彼は下段の構えから攻撃を仕掛けた。
In the kendo match, he launched an attack from a low stance.
Compound of 下 (lower) and 段 (step, tier). The martial arts sense is a specialized extension of the spatial meaning.