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セカンドベスト Japanese meaning | Kotomora

セカンドベスト

Meanings

1

noun

second best

A straightforward loanword meaning the runner-up or the next best option after the top choice.

彼かれは大たい会かいでセカンドベストだった。
He was second best in the tournament.
このプランはセカンドベストだが、十じゅう分ぶん実じつ用よう的てきだ。
This plan is second best, but it's practical enough.

Written forms

セカンド・ベスト
- セカンドベスト
  Variant with interpunct; less common but seen in some contexts.
- セカンド・ベスト

Similar words

二に位い
二位 is the native Japanese term for 'second place', while セカンドベスト is a loanword often used in contexts like competitions or rankings with a slightly more casual or English-influenced feel.
次じ善ぜん
次善 is a more formal, written term meaning 'second best' or 'next best', often used in strategic or analytical contexts.

Etymology

Borrowed from English 'second best'.