首 位(しゅい)

しゅい

noun

first place; top; lead

1. first place; top position; lead

The highest rank or leading position in a competition, ranking, or standings. Common in sports, business, and academic contexts.

首位(しゅい)に立(た)った。

They took the lead.

わがチームは開幕(かいまく)から首位(しゅい)を守(まも)っている。

Our team has held first place since the start of the season.

売上(うりあげ)ランキングで首位(しゅい)の座(ざ)を獲得(かくとく)したが、来月(らいげつ)も維持(いじ)できるかは分(わ)からない。

We captured the top spot in the sales ranking, but it's unclear whether we can maintain it next month.

Commonly used in sports standings and business rankings. Literally "head position" — 首(しゅ) (head/chief) + 位(い) (rank/position).

Common collocations

首位(しゅい)に立(た)つ (to take the lead)
首位(しゅい)を守(まも)る (to defend/hold first place)
首位(しゅい)を走(はし)る (to lead the pack)
首位(しゅい)の座(ざ) (the top position)
首位(しゅい)争(あらそ)い (race for first place)
首位(しゅい)打者(だしゃ) (batting leader — baseball)

Similar words

一位(いちい) simply means "number one / first rank"
首位(しゅい) emphasizes leading a competition or standing at the top

Related Words

Synonym: 一位(いちい) (first place)

Related: 順位(じゅんい) (ranking)

Compare: トップ (top)

Compare: 最下位(さいかい) (last place)

general

Added 2026.3.2 20:00 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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