Japanese word

頂点

Pronunciation

Romajichōten

Meaning

  • nountop

Example

その会社は業界の頂点に立っています。so no gai sha wa gyō kai no chō ten ni ta tte i ma su

The company is at the top of its industry.

Illustration for 頂点 (top)

More examples

その選手は次の大会で頂点を目指しています。so no sen shu wa tsugi no tai kai de chō ten o me za shi te i ma su

That athlete is aiming for the top in the next competition.

Core concept

It marks the highest position or point, whether in a hierarchy or at the corner of a shape.

Common phrases

  • 頂点に立つchō ten ni ta tsu

    stand at the top

  • 頂点に達するchō ten ni tas su ru

    reach the top

  • 頂点を極めるchō ten o kiwa me ru

    reach the pinnacle

Similar words

頂上chōjō: The highest part of a mountain or other physical object.
最高点saikōten: The highest level reached in a performance, process, or period.
最上位saijōi: The highest rank in an ordered system.

Definition in Japanese

物事や位置の最も高い所。また、図形や立体の角をなす点。mono goto ya i chi no motto mo taka i tokoro ma ta zu kei ya rit tai no kado o na su ten

Word origin

The compound combines 頂 (chō, "summit") and 点 (ten, "point"), giving the sense of a highest point or position.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 頂点 (chōten) applies both to the highest place in a hierarchy and to a geometric vertex, while English usually uses top or vertex.

Other meanings

  • vertexnoun

Opposites

  • 底辺teihenbottomnoun

Word lists with this word