(しじょうはつ)

しじょうはつ
noun
first in history; unprecedented
1. first ever in history; historical first; unprecedented achievement
A compound meaning "first time in history." Used to describe an event, achievement, or occurrence that has no precedent in recorded history.
史上初(しじょうはつ)快挙(かいきょ)だ。
It's an unprecedented feat — a first in history.
彼女(かのじょ)史上初(しじょうはつ)女性(じょせい)大統領(だいとうりょう)になった。
She became the first female president in history.
そのチーム(ちーむ)史上初(しじょうはつ)となる4連覇(れんぱ)達成(たっせい)し、世界中(せかいじゅう)から注目(ちゅうもく)(あつ)めた。
The team achieved four consecutive championships — a first in history — and drew attention from around the world.

史上(しじょう) means "in history" and (はつ) means "first." The compound 史上初(しじょうはつ) functions as a noun or prenominal modifier.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 史上初(しじょうはつ)の〜: the first 〜 in history
  • 史上初(しじょうはつ)となる: to be a first in history
  • 史上初(しじょうはつ)達成(たっせい)する: to achieve a historical first
  • 史上初(しじょうはつ)快挙(かいきょ): an unprecedented feat

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 前例(ぜんれい)のない: unprecedented — more general, not necessarily historical
  • (はじ)めての: first, for the first time — more personal/situational scale