1.
one serving; one portion
A single serving of food, sized for one person.
ラーメン一人前をください。
One serving of ramen, please.
寿司の一人前は十貫だ。
One serving of sushi is ten pieces.
この弁当は一人前には多すぎるから、二人で分けよう。
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.
やっと一人前になった。
I've finally become a full-fledged adult.
一人前の料理人になるには十年かかると言われている。
They say it takes ten years to become a fully qualified chef.
まだ半人前だけど、いつか一人前の大工になりたい。
I'm still only half-trained, but someday I want to become a fully qualified carpenter.
一人前 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:
- 一人前になる (to become a full-fledged adult/professional)
- 一人前の口をきく (to talk big despite being inexperienced)
RELATED WORDS:
- 半人前: half-baked, not yet competent — the opposite of sense 2
- 一人前: alternate reading, same meanings
- 二人前: two servings