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一刻み (ひときざみ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

一ひと刻きざみ

Meanings

1

noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

top-notch; first-rate; excellent

Describes something of the highest quality or degree. Often used in the phrase 一刻みの～ to modify a noun.

彼かれは一ひと刻きざみの職しょく人にんだ。
He is a top-notch craftsman.
このレストランの料りょう理りは一ひと刻きざみだ。
The food at this restaurant is first-rate.

Kanji

一one, one radical (no.1)
刻engrave, cut fine, chop

Similar words

一いち流りゅう
一流 is more common and broadly used for 'first-class' or 'top-level', while 一刻み is less frequent and carries a slightly more emphatic or traditional nuance.
極ごく上じょう
極上 emphasizes supreme quality, often used for products or experiences, whereas 一刻み can also describe people or skills.

Etymology

Compound of 一 (ひと, 'one') and 刻み (きざみ, 'notch' or 'step'), literally 'one notch'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it likely originated from the idea of being a cut above the rest.