Meaning

Primary

First Place

Alternatives

Head Position, Leading Position, First Position

Word Type

noun, の adjective

Explanation

If you’re at neck rank you’re in first place. Haven’t you ever heard the phrase, “neck and neck” when two people in a race are both super close to first place? Just remember that and you’ll never forget this word.

Reading

しゅい
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. You learned this reading for when you learned 部首, and the reading for is the one you learned with the kanji, so you should be able to read this on your own.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 首位を争う

    to compete for first place

    首位を走る

    to run in first place

    首位をキープする

    to hold on to first place

Context Sentences

学力テストで首位に立った。

I got the first place in an academic test.

あの女の人は世界ランキング首位のテニスプレーヤーです。

That woman is the world's top ranked tennis player.

その老人は、両チームの首位争いには全く興味が無いようだった。

That old person seemed to have zero interest in both teams' fight for first place.

Kanji Composition