一番(いちばん)

いちばん
adverb, noun
most, best, number one
1. most, -est (superlative)
Used before adjectives to form superlatives, meaning 'the most' or '-est'.
これが一番(いちばん)おいしいです。
This is the most delicious.
Superlative usage
日本(にほん)で一番(いちばん)高(たか)い山(やま)は富士山(ふじさん)です。
The highest mountain in Japan is Mt. Fuji.
季節(きせつ)の中(なか)で一番(いちばん)好(す)きなのは秋(あき)です。
My favorite season is autumn.
2. number one, first, best
The first in order or rank; the best among a group.
健康(けんこう)が一番(いちばん)です。
Health is the most important thing.
Used as noun
彼(かれ)は一番(いちばん)に来(き)た。
He arrived first.
一番に = first (in order)
クラスで一番(いちばん)を取(と)りたい。
I want to be number one in my class.
一番を取る = to take first place

一番(いちばん) functions as both an adverb (superlative marker) and a noun (number one, first place). The kanji literally mean "one" (一(いち)) + "number/turn" (番(ばん)).

SUPERLATIVE PATTERN:

一番(いちばん) + adjective = "most" or "-est":

  • 一番(いちばん)大(おお)きい: biggest
  • 一番(いちばん)好(す)き: like the most
  • 一番(いちばん)大切(たいせつ): most important

Scope is specified with で: 世界(せかい)で一番(いちばん) (in the world), クラスで一番(いちばん) (in the class).

NOUN USAGE:

  • 一番(いちばん)に来(く)る: to come first (in order)
  • 一番(いちばん)を取(と)る: to take first place
  • 一番(いちばん)大事(だいじ): the most important thing (as noun phrase)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • もっとも (最(もっと)も): formal/written equivalent for "most"
  • 一位(いちい): first place (rankings, competitions)
general
Added 2026.1.7 21:34 · Revised 2026.3.5 22:53
01000/01140_ichiban