十八番
also: じゅうはちばん
Meanings
one's specialty; one's forte; signature party trick
Used for something a person is especially known for or good at, often a song, joke, imitation, trick, or reliable skill. The reading おはこ is especially associated with this idiomatic sense, though じゅうはちばん is also attested.
This song is his go-to specialty at karaoke.
That magic trick is her specialty.
No. 18; eighteenth
Only with reading じゅうはちばん
Literal numerical use, read じゅうはちばん. This is separate from the idiomatic おはこ sense.
I was given ticket number eighteen at reception.
Kabuki Jūhachiban; repertoire of eighteen kabuki plays
Only with reading じゅうはちばん
Kabuki term, often short for 歌舞伎十八番. In this sense it is read じゅうはちばん and refers to the set of eighteen famous kabuki plays.
See also: 歌舞伎十八番
In a kabuki context, Jūhachiban refers to eighteen plays associated with the Ichikawa family.
Usage patterns
- 〈事〉を十八番にするto make something one's specialty
He has made this song his signature piece.
- 十八番を披露するto perform one's signature act
I performed my signature trick at the party.
- 十八番の〈物〉one's go-to/signature (song, dish, etc.)
I sang my go-to song at karaoke.