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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It's my turn next.
The soldiers stood guard at the gate.
My turn will come soon.
The children lined up and waited for their turn.
番 marks order or turn in a sequence, while 号 more specifically labels an issue, model, size, or named vehicle.
番 alone just means a number, turn, or shift, while 番目 (番+目) is needed to express 'the nth in order'; learners often drop 目 by mistake.
番 (turn, number, watch) is pronounced identically to 晩 (evening) but has a completely unrelated meaning, so listeners must rely on context.
one's turn; one's shift · stage appearance; screen time · chance to act; moment to shine
order; turn
standard item; classic; go-to choice; staple · basic item; staple goods
yarn count; thread count number · nth place; nth position; nth in the order · nth rank in a battle formation; nth line of troops · castle guard · second-place horse; horse running just behind the leader
house number; lot number; address number
TV/radio special; special program
leader of a group of juvenile delinquents; gang leader
exception; outside the regular number · extra; additional · outsize; outside standard size
attendant's booth (in a bathhouse changing room)
police box; small neighborhood police station; koban · alternation; taking turns · alternating; alternating current or stress
track number; platform number · wire gauge
house-sitting; caretaking; staying home to watch the house · caretaker; house-sitter
item number; part number; stock number
farce; charade; sham · comic interlude; short humorous sketch · tea server; person who serves tea
model number
duty; being on duty; person on duty; one's turn
guard; watchman
ranked list; ranking chart · program; playbill
gatekeeper; doorman; guard at a gate
watchdog; guard dog
late shift; second shift; afternoon shift
head clerk; chief clerk
tending a store; minding the shop · salesperson; shop assistant; clerk
early shift; morning shift
telephone exchange number; telephone prefix
off duty; not on duty
missing number; vacant number