一番
ichiban
The most; the best
Says that something is the most or the best among a group.
How to form it
Attach 一番 directly to a noun or use it before an adjective or adverb. For verbs, use the て-form of the verb plus 一番. For example, 一番好き (most liked), 一番速く (fastest).
What it means
一番 is a word that means 'number one' or 'the most'. You put it before an adjective or adverb to make a superlative. For example, 一番大きい means 'the biggest'. You can also use it with a noun, like 一番の友達 (best friend). When you want to say 'the most' with a verb, you use the て-form of the verb and then 一番, like 一番頑張って (try the hardest).
Example sentences
これが一番好きです。
Kore ga ichiban suki desu.
I like this the most.
富士山は一番高い山です。
Fujisan wa ichiban takai yama desu.
Mt. Fuji is the tallest mountain.
毎日一番早く起きるのは母です。
Mainichi ichiban hayaku okiru no wa haha desu.
My mother is the one who gets up the earliest every day.
Don’t confuse it with
とても
とても means 'very' and does not compare, while 一番 means 'the most' and implies a comparison.
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Neutral and used in both speaking and writing.
Next in the N5 path
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What does 一番 mean?
The most; the best. Says that something is the most or the best among a group.
How do you form 一番?
Attach 一番 directly to a noun or use it before an adjective or adverb. For verbs, use the て-form of the verb plus 一番. For example, 一番好き (most liked), 一番速く (fastest).
Example of 一番 in a sentence
これが一番好きです。 — I like this the most.
とても — what is the difference?
とても means 'very' and does not compare, while 一番 means 'the most' and implies a comparison.
What JLPT level is 一番?
JLPT N5 (beginner), number 52 of 80 in Nihoner's learning order for N5.
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