also: ぴかいち · ピカイチ
hanafuda hand: one 20-point card and six 1-point cards
Specific term in hanafuda (Japanese flower cards). Refers to a dealt hand consisting of exactly one 20-point card (often a 'tane' or animal card) and six 1-point cards (kasu).
See also: 手役
He has the best grades in the class.
In hanafuda, I was dealt a hand of one 20-point card and six 1-point cards.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
outstanding; top-notch; the best
Derived from the hanafuda term, now used colloquially to describe something or someone that stands out as excellent or the best among others. Often used in the phrase ピカ一の〜.
His cooking skills are outstanding.
The ramen at this shop is top-notch.
Her cooking skills are top-notch.
最高 is a common word for 'the highest/best' usable in almost any context, whereas ピカ一 carries a playful, card-game-derived flavor and is often used as ピカ一の〜.
抜群 emphasizes standing out far above others in ability or quality, while ピカ一 is a more casual, everyday way to call something the best.
ピカ一 (best/top-notch) and ピカピカ (shiny, sparkling) both start with ピカ but describe completely different things, so learners can mix them up by sound.
Common mixed kanji-katakana spelling. The reading ピカいち is standard for this form.
All-katakana spelling, often used for emphasis or in informal contexts.
Hiragana-katakana mixed spelling. The reading ぴかいち is used.
Kanji spelling using 光 for 'pika'. Less common than ピカ一 but still encountered.
From hanafuda terminology. ピカ (pika) is an onomatopoeic or mimetic word for a flash or shine, and 一 (ichi) means 'one'. The term originally described a hand with one shining 20-point card among low-value cards, later extended to mean 'outstanding'.