Japanese word

日本一

Pronunciation

Romajinihon'ichi

Meaning

  • nounthe best in Japan

Example

彼は日本一の医者です。kare wa nihonichi no i sha de su

He is the best doctor in Japan.

Illustration for 日本一 (the best in Japan)

More examples

彼女は毎日練習して、日本一になりました。kano jo wa mai nichi ren shū shi te nihonichi ni na ri ma shi ta

She practiced every day and became the best in Japan.

Core concept

Places a person, thing, or quality at the highest point on a scale limited to Japan.

Common phrases

  • 日本一の店nihonichi no mise

    the best shop in Japan

  • 日本一になるnihonichi ni na ru

    become the best in Japan

  • 日本一を目指すnihonichi o me za su

    aim to be the best in Japan

Similar words

日本随一nihonzuiichi: The foremost position or level among people or things in Japan.
国内トップkokunaitoppu: The highest position or level within the country in a casual expression.

Definition in Japanese

日本国内で最も優れていること。また、そのもの。nihon koku nai de motto mo sugu re te i ru ko to ma ta so no mo no

Word origin

日 (nichi, "sun") and 本 (hon, "origin") form 日本 (Nihon, "Japan"), while 一 (ichi, "one") marks the top rank within Japan.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 日本一 (nihon'ichi) can introduce an emphatic claim such as 日本一おいしい (nihon'ichi oishii), meaning that something ranks above all others in Japan.

Word lists with this word