Stage
Phase
noun
Each time you take a step up, you reach a new floor… a new stage! We're talking metaphorical stages. You're making all kinds of progress. The first stage, the second stage. The third phase. Man, you're blowing through all the stages and phases of Japanese learning. Keep it up!
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.
この段階で結論を出すのはまだ早すぎる。
It is still too early to draw conclusions at this stage.
住宅価格は、急落する直前の段階まで来ていると思うんです。
I think housing prices have reached the phase just before a sharp decline.
今、プロジェクトはローンチまであと少しの最終段階に入っています。
Now, the project has entered the final phase with just a little bit left until the launch.
彼氏は、私が妊娠からかなり経った段階まで妊娠の事実を伝えなかったことについて私を責めました。
My boyfriend accused me of not telling him I was pregnant until I was in the advanced stages of pregnancy.