第 一 志 望(だいいちしぼう)

だいいちしぼう

noun

first choice; top preference (school, job)

1. first choice; top preference; number-one pick

The school, university, company, or position that a person most wants to get into. Extremely common in discussions about entrance exams and job hunting in Japan.

第一志望(だいいちしぼう)に合格(ごうかく)した。

I passed my first-choice school.

第一志望(だいいちしぼう)の会社(かいしゃ)から内定(ないてい)をもらった。

I received a job offer from my top-choice company.

第一志望(だいいちしぼう)に落(お)ちたが、第二志望(だいにしぼう)の大学(だいがく)に進学(しんがく)した。

I didn't get into my first-choice school, but I enrolled at my second choice.

A key term in Japanese education and career culture. Students applying to universities or high schools rank their preferences, with 第一志望(だいいちしぼう) being the most desired. The same pattern applies during 就職活動(しゅうしょくかつどう) (job hunting). Passing or failing one's 第一志望(だいいちしぼう) is seen as a major life event.

Common collocations

第一志望(だいいちしぼう)に合格(ごうかく)する: to pass one's first-choice school
第一志望(だいいちしぼう)に落(お)ちる: to fail one's first-choice school
第一志望(だいいちしぼう)の大学(だいがく): one's first-choice university
第一志望(だいいちしぼう)の企業(きぎょう): one's top-choice company

Related words

第二志望(だいにしぼう): second choice
第三志望(だいさんしぼう): third choice
滑(すべ)り止(ど)め: safety school/backup choice — a school one is confident of passing

Related Words

Related: 第二志望(だいにしぼう) (second choice)

Related: 滑(すべ)り止(ど)め (safety school/backup choice)

Related: 志望校(しぼうこう) (school of one's choice)

general

Added 2026.3.26 21:38 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

19500/19697_daiichishibou