Translation guide
Expressing the idea of a top preference or priority in Japanese, from casual favorites to formal selections.
Expressing that something is your number one preference among options, often in casual contexts.
The most natural way to say something is your favorite or first choice. Literally 'most liked'.
This movie is my first choice.
Used for formal first choices, like school applications or job preferences. Literally 'first hope/desire'.
I got into my first-choice university.
Literally 'true favorite', often used for a top romantic interest or the most likely winner in a competition. Can sound dramatic in daily conversation.
He's the first-choice candidate.
Indicating that something is the most important option to pursue or select first.
Selecting the top item from a menu, ballot, or formal set of choices.
The phrase '最初の選択' (saisho no sentaku) is a literal translation of 'first choice' but sounds unnatural in Japanese. It implies the first choice made chronologically, not the preferred one.
I grabbed that book as my first choice.
Formal term for 'first choice' in medical treatment, academic tracks, etc.
This treatment is the first choice.