Translation guide
How to express 'first place' in Japanese, including rankings, locations, and idiomatic uses.
Expressing the top position in a contest, race, or ranking.
The most common and direct way to say 'first place' in rankings or competitions.
He got first place in the marathon.
This restaurant is first place in the popularity ranking.
Means 'victory' or 'championship'. Used when winning a tournament or competition, implying first place.
She won first place in the tennis tournament.
Loanword from English 'top'. Used in rankings, charts, or informal contexts.
This song reached first place on the charts.
Often used in sports leagues or business rankings, meaning 'top position' or 'lead'.
That team is maintaining first place in the league.
Referring to the first position in a sequence or physical location.
Means 'first (in order)'. Used for items in a list or sequence.
Turn right at the first corner.
Means 'first' or 'beginning'. Often used for the first time or initial position.
Means 'head' or 'lead' of a line or group. Used for physical position at the front.
Expressing 'first place' in a metaphorical sense, such as priority or importance.
Means 'firstly' or 'in the first place'. Used to introduce the primary point or reason.
In the first place, health is the most important.
Means 'above all' or 'more than anything'. Conveys that something comes first in priority.
Safety comes first (takes first place) above all.
一位 (いちい) is used for rankings and competitions, while 一番目 (いちばんめ) is used for order in a sequence. Don't use 一位 for 'first street' or 'first item'.
He was first place in the race.
Turn left at the first intersection.
The literal translation '最初の場所' (さいしょのばしょ) means 'the first location' and is not used for rankings. Use 一位 for competition results.
She won first place in the speech contest.
This is the first place I visited in Japan.
He arrived first.
最初の場所に戻ってください。
Please go back to the first place.
行列の先頭に立ってください。
Please stand at the front of the line.