Japanese word

背番号

Pronunciation

Romajisebangō

Meaning

  • nounjersey number

Example

新しい背番号をもらいました。atara shi i se ban gō o mo ra i ma shi ta

I got a new jersey number.

Illustration for 背番号 (jersey number)

More examples

その選手は代表チームで背番号10をつけています。so no sen shu wa dai hyō chī mu de se ban gō 10 o tsu ke te i ma su

That player wears number 10 on the national team.

Core concept

Shows which player a sports uniform belongs to by displaying a number on its back.

Common phrases

  • 背番号をつけるse ban gō o tsu ke ru

    wear number ___

  • 背番号を変更するse ban gō o hen kō su ru

    change one's jersey number

  • 背番号を受け継ぐse ban gō o u ke tsu gu

    inherit a jersey number

  • 背番号を背負うse ban gō o se o u

    play under the number ___

Definition in Japanese

運動選手のユニフォームの背中に付け、その選手を見分けるための番号。un dō sen shu no yu ni fō mu no se naka ni tsu ke so no sen shu o mi wa ke ru ta me no ban gō

Word origin

背番号 (sebangō) is formed from 背 (se, "back") and 番号 (bangō, "number"), with 番 (ban, "order") and 号 (gō, "number or designation") specifying a numbered mark on the back.

Usage tips

  • A team may retire a 背番号 (sebangō) in honor of a famous player, so the number can carry a history beyond one season.

Word lists with this word