Japanese word

一番

Pronunciation

Romajiichiban

Meaning

  • nounfirst

Example

私は一番に着きました。watashi wa ichi ban ni tsu ki ma shi ta

I arrived first.

Illustration for 一番 (first)

More examples

かけっこで一番になりました。ka ke kko de ichi ban ni na ri ma shi ta

I came in first in the race.

彼女は大会で一番になりました。kano jo wa tai kai de ichi ban ni na ri ma shi ta

She came in first in the competition.

Core concept

It marks the point that comes before all others in an order or stands at the top of a ranking.

Common phrases

  • 一番の理由ichi ban no ri yū

    the number one reason

  • 一番上ichi ban ue

    the top

Similar words

一位ichii: The highest rank or score in a competition or order.
トップtoppu: The highest position in a ranking, group, or order.

Definition in Japanese

順序や順位が最初であること。また、順位が最も上であること。jun jo ya jun i ga sai sho de a ru ko to ma ta jun i ga motto mo ue de a ru ko to

Word origin

一番 (ichiban) combines 一 (ichi, "one") and 番 (ban, "order or turn"). Together, they express being first in an order.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 一番 (ichiban) can also come before an adjective to mean "most," extending the idea of the highest rank to comparisons.

Other meanings

  • first placenoun
  • number onenoun

Opposites

  • 最下位saikailowest ranknoun

Word lists with this word