noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
first place; leading position; top spot
Used in rankings, competitions, and statistics to indicate the number-one position. Common in news and sports contexts.
そのチームはリーグの首位に立っている。
That team is in first place in the league.
His team moved into first place.
彼は世界ランキングで首位を守った。
He held onto the top spot in the world rankings.
彼女は最後まで首位を守り抜いた。
She held onto first place until the very end.
The two teams are competing for first place.
With the launch of the new product, the company suddenly jumped into first place.
トップ is a casual, everyday word for 'the top' or 'first', while 首位 is the formal term used in rankings and statistics.
一位 simply names the first position in a numbered ranking, while 首位 emphasizes holding the leading position in an ongoing competition.
首位 is a neutral term for the top rank in any ranking or standings, whereas 王座 carries the image of a 'crown' or title of supremacy, especially in sports.
首位 refers to first place in a ranking or competition, while 筆頭 focuses on being the first name on a list or the most prominent member of a group.
首位 is a formal term for first place in a ranking, while 一番手 more directly refers to the person who is in the lead.
上位 covers any high rank near the top, while 首位 specifically means the very top, first-place position.
首位 is a formal, news-style word for first place in a ranking, whereas ナンバーワン sounds more casual, promotional, or emphatic.
最下位 means 'last place', the direct opposite of 首位 'first place'.
leading hitter; batting champion
top-of-the-table clash; first vs. second place game
Standard kanji spelling; high-frequency news term.
Rare variant; 首位 is overwhelmingly preferred in modern usage.
Composed of 首 (head, chief) and 位 (rank, position). The kanji combination directly conveys the meaning of 'top rank'.