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.
彼はマラソンで一位になった。
He got first place in the marathon.
Referring to the first position in a sequence or physical location.
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.
第一に、健康が一番大切です。
In the first place, health is the most important.
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'.
彼はレースで一位だった。
He was first place in the race.
一番目の交差点を左折してください。
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.
彼女はスピーチコンテストで一位になった。
She won first place in the speech contest.
ここは日本で最初に訪れた場所です。
This is the first place I visited in Japan.
This restaurant is first place in the popularity ranking.
Means 'victory' or 'championship'. Used when winning a tournament or competition, implying first place.
彼女はテニス大会で優勝した。
She won first place in the tennis tournament.
Loanword from English 'top'. Used in rankings, charts, or informal contexts.
この曲がチャートでトップになった。
This song reached first place on the charts.
Often used in sports leagues or business rankings, meaning 'top position' or 'lead'.
そのチームはリーグ首位を守っている。
That team is maintaining first place in the league.
Means 'first (in order)'. Used for items in a list or sequence.
一番目の角を右に曲がってください。
Turn right at the first corner.
彼は一番目に到着した。
He arrived first.
Means 'first' or 'beginning'. Often used for the first time or initial position.
最初の場所に戻ってください。
Please go back to the first place.
Means 'head' or 'lead' of a line or group. Used for physical position at the front.
行列の先頭に立ってください。
Please stand at the front of the line.
Means 'above all' or 'more than anything'. Conveys that something comes first in priority.
安全が何よりも優先されます。
Safety comes first (takes first place) above all.