一着(いっちゃく)

いっちゃく
noun, counter
first place (in a race); one suit of clothes
sportsclothing
1. first place; first to arrive
The first to cross the finish line in a race, especially in horse racing, cycling, or other competitive events.
彼(かれ)が一着(いっちゃく)でゴールした。
He finished in first place.
一着(いっちゃく)は大(おお)きな差(さ)をつけて圧勝(あっしょう)だった。
The first-place finisher won by a large margin in a dominant victory.
地元(じもと)の選手(せんしゅ)が一着(いっちゃく)を取(と)り、観客(かんきゃく)は大(おお)いに盛(も)り上(あ)がった。
The local athlete took first place, and the spectators were thrilled.
2. one suit; one outfit
A counter expression for one piece of clothing, typically a suit, dress, or complete outfit.
スーツを一着(いっちゃく)買(か)った。
I bought one suit.
旅行(りょこう)には着替(きが)えを一着(いっちゃく)持(も)っていく。
I'll bring one change of clothes on the trip.
オーダーメイドのスーツは一着(いっちゃく)十万円(じゅうまんえん)もするが、体(からだ)に完璧(かんぺき)に合(あ)う。
A custom-made suit costs as much as 100,000 yen each, but it fits your body perfectly.

Has two distinct meanings depending on context. In racing and competition contexts, it means first place. As a counter, it counts suits and outfits.

SENSE 1 — FIRST PLACE:
Commonly used in horse racing (競馬(けいば)) and other races. The sequence continues: 二着(にちゃく) (second place), 三着(さんちゃく) (third place).

SENSE 2 — CLOTHING COUNTER:
Used to count suits, dresses, and complete outfits: 一着(いっちゃく), 二着(にちゃく), 三着(さんちゃく).

Similar words

  • 一位(いちい): first rank/place — more general ranking term, not specific to racing
  • 一枚(いちまい): one sheet/piece — counter for flat items; used for shirts and thin garments but not suits
  • 一着目(いっちゃくめ): the first outfit (ordinal)

Related Words

Compare: 一位(いちい) (first rank/place)
Compare: 一枚(いちまい) (one sheet/piece)
general
Added 2026.4.2 11:49 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
21000/21404_icchaku