一いっ等とう

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

first class; first rank; first place; first prize

Used for being in the top class or rank, or for winning first place or first prize. Common in compounds and phrases such as 一等賞 and 一等の席.

• 妹いもうとはくじで一いっ等とうを当あてた。

  My younger sister won first prize in the lottery.

• 一いっ等とうの客きゃく室しつを予よ約やくした。

  I reserved a first-class cabin.

noun

one degree; one level; one grade

Counts a difference of one rank, grade, or level, often with 上がる, 下がる, 上, or 下. In many everyday contexts, 一段 or 一つ上・下 may sound more ordinary.

• 今年ことしの米こめは去きょ年ねんより等とう級きゅうが一いっ等とう下さがった。

  This year's rice dropped one grade from last year.

adverb

most; best

Adverbial use before adjectives or evaluative expressions, meaning much the same as 一番. It is understandable but less common than 一番 in modern everyday Japanese.

• この中なかでは、これが一いっ等とういい。

  Of these, this one is the best.