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第一

The First

Meaning

The First, First, Number One, Best

Word Type

adverb, noun

Explanation

The ordinal number prefix one refers to the first thing. This is the number one place you can get. In fact, it's simply the best.

Reading

だいいち

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

お客さま第一
the customer comes first
まず第一
first of all
家族第一
family first
第一となる
to become primary
第一と考える
to consider to be primary
第一とする
to put first
第一に考える
to consider first
第一にする
to put first
第一に思う
to think of first

Context Sentences

自分の安全を第一に考えて下さい。

Please think of your safety first.

休みたい第一の理由は時間が足りないからです。

The number one reason I want to take a break is that I don't have enough time.

お互いの第一印象はどうでしたか？

What was your first impression of each other?

Kanji Composition