Japanese word

一位

Pronunciation

Romajiichii

Meaning

  • nounfirst place

Example

私は試験で一位になりました。watashi wa shi ken de ichi i ni na ri ma shi ta

I came in first on the test.

Illustration for 一位 (first place)

More examples

試合で一位を取ることができました。shi ai de ichi i o to ru ko to ga de ki ma shi ta

I was able to take first place in the competition.

Core concept

Marks the highest position in a ranking or competition, placing one person or thing above all the others.

Common phrases

  • 一位になるichi i ni na ru

    come in first

Similar words

一番ichiban: A way to express the highest rank or degree among several things, often in everyday speech.
トップtoppu: The highest position in a group, ranking, or competition, in casual language.
一等ittō: The first rank or prize in a competition.

Definition in Japanese

競争や順位付けで最も上の順位。kyō sō ya jun i tsu ke de motto mo ue no jun i

Word origin

This Sino-Japanese compound combines 一 (ichi, "one") and 位 (i, "rank or position") to name the highest rank.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese sports and school rankings, 一位 (ichii) is a fixed term for first place, while 一番 (ichiban) is broader and can mean the best or the most.

Opposites

  • 最下位saikailast placenoun

Word lists with this word