Meaning

Primary

Number One

Alternatives

The First, First, The Best, Best, The Most, Most

Word Type

noun

Explanation

When you're the number one in a number in a series, you're number one ba-bay!

Reading

いちばん
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.

Context

Pattern of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 一番高い

    most high, most expensive

    一番いい

    best

    一番多い

    most numerous

Context Sentences

一番大切な人は、自分の子です。

The most important person is my own child.

今週のテストで一番高い点数をとりたいです。

I want to get the highest score on this week's test.

これが、今全米で一番人気の曲ですよ。

This is the most popular song in all of America right now.

Kanji Composition