定てい番ばん

て

い

ば

ん

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

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

standard item; classic; go-to choice; staple

Refers to something that is always chosen, used, or done because it is reliable, popular, or expected. Often used for products, menu items, routines, or jokes.

この店みせの定てい番ばんメニューはカレーライスです。
The standard menu item at this restaurant is curry rice.
彼かれの定てい番ばんのギャグはもう飽あきた。
I'm already tired of his go-to joke.

noun

basic item; staple goods

Original meaning: a product with stable, consistent demand, such as everyday necessities. Still used in retail and inventory contexts.

スーパーでは定てい番ばん商しょう品ひんを切きらさないようにしている。
Supermarkets make sure not to run out of staple goods.

See all 75 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

定てい番ばんの〈物もの〉the classic/standard ~
カレーは日本にほんの定てい番ばんの料りょう理りです。
Curry is a classic dish in Japan.
〈物もの〉が定てい番ばんだ~ is the go-to/standard choice
夏なつはやっぱりビールが定てい番ばんだ。
In summer, beer is the classic go-to drink.
〈物もの〉を定てい番ばんにするto make ~ a staple/regular choice
この店みせは黒くろいスーツを定てい番ばんにしている。
This shop keeps black suits as a permanent staple item.
〈物もの〉が定てい番ばんとなる~ becomes an established staple/classic
そのジョークはクラスの定てい番ばんとなった。
That joke became a running classic in the class.

Kanji

定determine, fix, establish
番turn, number in a series

Related words· 7

王おう道どう sense 1
定番 describes something reliably chosen because it's popular or expected, while 王道 emphasizes the 'proven, classic path' often in creative or strategic contexts.
鉄てっ板ぱん sense 1
鉄板 is a casual slang synonym for 定番, stressing that something is a guaranteed sure-thing (e.g. a joke or method) rather than just a popular staple.
標ひょう準じゅんN2sense 2
標準 is a neutral, technical word for 'standard' with no implication of popularity, unlike 定番 which implies something people habitually choose or love.
御用達ごようたし
定番 describes a standard, go-to item popular in general, while 御用達 specifically frames something as favored by a particular group or clientele.

Show 3 more

おなじみ
定番 describes a standard, staple item that never goes out of fashion, whereas お馴染み focuses on being familiar or well-known through repeated exposure.
お決きまり
定番 describes a tried-and-true classic with a positive, reliable image, while お決まり often implies predictability that can feel unoriginal or clichéd.
ロングセラー
定番 describes a standard, always-available classic item regardless of sales figures, while ロングセラー specifically highlights a track record of continued strong sales.

Opposites

流りゅう行こうN3sense 1
定番 refers to an enduring, reliable classic, while 流行 refers to a fleeting trend or fad that comes and goes.

Don't confuse with

定てい説せつ sense 1
定番 (a staple/classic item) and 定説 (an established theory or accepted view) share the kanji 定 but apply to completely different domains.
定てい食しょくN3sense 1
定番 means 'the standard/classic choice' in general, while 定食 specifically means a fixed set meal at a restaurant.

Word family

定てい番ばん化か
becoming a standard item; becoming a staple; becoming popular

Etymology

From 定 (fixed, regular) and 番 (number, order). Originally a retail term for items with stable demand, later broadened to mean any standard or classic choice.