noun, noun, used as a suffix
Used as a suffix after numbers or counters to indicate order, e.g., 一番 (first), 三番 (third). Also used in words like 番号 (number).
彼はマラソンで一番になった。
He came in first in the marathon.
三番目の問題が一番難しい。
The third problem is the most difficult.
noun
Refers to a person's turn in a sequence, such as in games, queues, or duties. Often used in phrases like 番が来る (one's turn comes) or 番を待つ (wait for one's turn).
次はあなたの番です。
It's your turn next.
順番に並んで、自分の番を待ってください。
Please line up in order and wait for your turn.
noun
Used for a person or group keeping watch, often in compounds like 見張り番 (lookout) or 夜番 (night watch). Can also refer to the duty itself.
夜の番をするのは大変だ。
Doing the night watch is tough.
彼は見張り番として立っていた。
He stood as a lookout.
noun, used as a suffix
Suffix used after numbers to indicate rank or position in a hierarchy, e.g., 一番 (first rank), 二番 (second rank). Common in sports, competitions, and organizational contexts.
彼は世界ランキングで一番の地位を保っている。
He maintains the top position in the world rankings.
このチームはリーグで二番だ。
This team is second in the league.
noun, noun, used as a suffix
Sumo term for a match or bout. Also used as a suffix to count matches, e.g., 一番勝負 (one-match contest).
今日の取り組みは十番ある。
There are ten bouts today.
彼は三番勝負で勝った。
He won in a three-match contest.
noun, used as a suffix
pieces (in a collection)
Suffix used after numbers to count items in a set or collection, such as 三番セット (set of three). Less common than other counters like 個 or つ, but appears in specific contexts like 番組 (program) or 番茶 (coarse tea).
この茶器は五番セットで売られている。
This tea set is sold as a five-piece set.
番組表を見て、見たい番を選んだ。
I looked at the program guide and chose the show I wanted to watch.
順番 specifically means 'order' or 'sequence', while 番 by itself can mean 'turn' or 'number in a series'. 順番 is more formal and often used in instructions.
番号 means 'number' as an identifier (like a phone number or ticket number), whereas 番 as a suffix indicates order or rank.
当番 means 'on duty' or 'person on duty', emphasizing the assigned role, while 番 alone can mean 'watch' or 'guard' more generally.
The kanji 番 originally depicted a paw print and a field, suggesting a boundary or division, which extended to mean 'order', 'turn', and 'watch'. The reading ばん is the on'yomi. The word is deeply integrated into Japanese as a counter and suffix.