一人前(ひとりまえ)

ひとりまえ
noun
one serving; full-fledged adult
1. one serving; one portion
A single serving of food, sized for one person.
ラーメン一人前(ひとりまえ)をください。
One serving of ramen, please.
寿司(すし)の一人前(ひとりまえ)は十貫(じゅっかん)だ。
One serving of sushi is ten pieces.
この弁当(べんとう)は一人前(ひとりまえ)には多(おお)すぎるから、二人(ふたり)で分(わ)けよう。
This bento is too much for one person, so let's split it between two.
2. full-fledged; fully qualified; independent adult
Being able to function as a competent, independent person in a given role — whether as an adult, a professional, or a member of society.
やっと一人前(ひとりまえ)になった。
I've finally become a full-fledged adult.
一人前(ひとりまえ)の料理人(りょうりにん)になるには十年(じゅうねん)かかると言(い)われている。
They say it takes ten years to become a fully qualified chef.
まだ半人前(はんにんまえ)だけど、いつか一人前(ひとりまえ)の大工(だいく)になりたい。
I'm still only half-trained, but someday I want to become a fully qualified carpenter.

一人前(ひとりまえ) has two distinct uses depending on context.

Sense 1 (portion) is commonly used when ordering food or describing serving sizes.

Sense 2 (full-fledged) describes someone who has reached a level of competence and independence, especially in a profession or as a member of society.

Common collocations

  • 一人前(ひとりまえ)になる (to become a full-fledged adult/professional)
  • 一人前(ひとりまえ)の口(くち)をきく (to talk big despite being inexperienced)

Related words

  • 半人前(はんにんまえ): half-baked, not yet competent — the opposite of sense 2
  • 一人前(いちにんまえ): alternate reading, same meanings
  • 二人前(ふたりまえ): two servings

Related Words

Antonym: 半人前(はんにんまえ) (half-baked, not yet competent)
general
Added 2026.3.12 11:29 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
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