noun
Common
dan
dan
Dan (noun) means a ranking level of black belt awarded in martial arts such as judo or karate, or a person holding that rank. Example: “She tested for her third dan in taekwondo last spring.”
noun
1
A ranking level of black belt awarded in martial arts such as judo or karate, or a person holding that rank.
"She tested for her third dan in taekwondo last spring."
"He's a fifth-dan black belt with over twenty years of training."
"After years of practice, my cousin finally earned his first dan in judo."
2
An old-fashioned title of respect placed before a name, roughly meaning "master" or "sir", now found mainly in historical or literary writing.
"The poem addresses its hero as "Dan Chaucer"."
"In the old ballad, the villagers greet the friendly monk as Dan Gregory and bow low."
"Medieval verse often gave a respected scholar the title Dan, as in Dan Osric of the abbey."
How to use dan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly met today as the numbered grades of black belt in martial arts.
Common pairings
first dan
black belt dan grade
dan ranking
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Word forms
- Plural
- dans
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She tested for her third _____ in taekwondo last spring.
Etymology
From Middle English "dan"/"daun", borrowed via Anglo-Norman from Latin dominus, "lord" — the same root that gives us "don".
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “dan” mean?
The word “dan” means a ranking level of black belt awarded in martial arts such as judo or karate, or a person holding that rank. In plain terms, most commonly met today as the numbered grades of black belt in martial arts.
How do you pronounce “dan”?
“Dan” is pronounced dan (/dæn/ in IPA).
How do you use “dan” in a sentence?
Here is “dan” used in a sentence: “She tested for her third dan in taekwondo last spring.”
What part of speech is “dan”?
“Dan” is a noun.
Where does the word “dan” come from?
The word “dan” comes from Latin. From Middle English "dan"/"daun", borrowed via Anglo-Norman from Latin dominus, "lord" — the same root that gives us "don".
Is “dan” a common word?
“Dan” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dan” have?
“Dan” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a ranking level of black belt awarded in martial arts such as judo or karate, or a person holding that rank.
What is the difference between a dan and a kyu?
In martial arts like judo and karate, kyu grades are the student ranks below black belt, counting down toward expertise. Dan grades begin at black belt and count upward, marking advanced practitioners. So a beginner works through the kyu ranks first, then earns their first dan when they achieve black belt status.
How many dan levels are there?
Most martial arts systems recognise ten dan ranks, from first dan (shodan) up to tenth dan. Lower dan grades are earned through gradings and competition, while the highest ranks are usually honorary, awarded for a lifetime of contribution. Very few people ever reach the top levels of the dan system.
What does first dan mean?
First dan, or shodan, is the entry level of black belt: proof that a student has mastered the fundamentals and is ready to begin deeper study. Despite being an achievement, it is often seen as a starting point rather than an ending, marking the transition from student to serious practitioner.
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