1.
first; primary; first-round
The first of a series of stages, rounds or orders, or the original, primary form of something. Usually the first part of a compound: 一次試験, 一次資料, 一次産業.
Pairs with 二次 (second, secondary) and 三次 (third, tertiary). In exams and job hiring, 一次 is the first screening round.
Compounds
- 一次試験 / 一次面接: first-round exam / interview
- 一次資料: primary source
- 一次産業: primary industry (farming, fishing, forestry)
- 一次関数: linear function (mathematics)
- 第一次世界大戦: World War I
Watch out
- 一時 (one o'clock; for a while; temporary) has the same reading but is a different word