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How to Say ‘There's just one step’ in Japanese

一段だけ段差がございまして

itsu dan dake dansa ga gozai mashi te

[ee-chee dahn dah-keh DAHN-sah ga goh-zah-ee mah-shee teh]

💬 Usage Tip: だけ "only, just" goes right after the amount it limits: 一人だけ (hitori dake) "just one person".

Phrase Breakdown

一段だけ

itsu dan dake

only one step

Read 'ichidan dake'. 一段 means 'one step' and だけ means 'only'.

Example

一段だけ上がります。

Go up just one step.

Words in this phrase

一

itsu

[ee-chee]

one

一 means one. With counters, its reading changes depending on the word that follows.

Example

一杯ください。

One cup, please.

段

dan

[dahn]

step; counter for steps

Counter for stairs or steps.

Example

階段を三段上ります。

I climb three steps.

だけ

dake

[dah-keh]

only; just

Shows limitation, meaning 'only' or 'just' that thing and nothing more.

Example

今日は手続きだけします。

Today, I will only do the procedure.

段差がございまして

dansa ga gozai mashi te

there is a step (difference in level), and so...

Read 'dansa ga gozaimashite'. 段差 means 'a change in floor level', and ございまして is a very polite 'there is, and...'.

Example

段差がございますのでご注意ください。

Please mind the step.

Words in this phrase

段差

dansa

[DAHN-sah]

step; difference in level

An uneven spot or step between floor levels.

Example

段差に気をつけてください。

Please watch your step.

が

[ga]

subject marker

A particle marking the subject of the sentence.

Example

興味がある分野を教えてください。

Please tell me the field you are interested in.

ござい

gozai

[goh-zah-ee]

to be / there is (honorific part)

Part of a very polite expression, often used in customer service language.

Example

ありがとうございますのございは丁寧さを出します。

The goza-i part of arigatou gozaimasu adds politeness.

まし

mashi

[mah-shee]

polite verb ending part

Part of polite verb forms used in formal speech.

Example

丁寧に話しました。

I spoke politely.

て

[teh]

and; -te form

A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.

Example

仕事を探している人と話しました。

I spoke with a person who is looking for work.

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