Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
The core superlative pattern
いちばん means “the most” or “the best” inside a group. First notice the group, then find the thing that stands out most strongly inside it.
Target signal
この店でこのケーキがいちばん人気です。
This cake is the most popular in this shop.
This sentence shows the most popular item in a shop.
Vocabulary notes
- いちばん
- most; best
- ケーキ
- cake
- この
- this
Compare in context
クラスで田中さんがいちばん元気です。
Tanaka is the most energetic in the class.
The group is クラス and the highlighted person is 田中さん.
Vocabulary notes
- いちばん
- most; best
- 田中さん
- Tanaka
- クラス
- class
Compare in context
この中でこれがいちばん安いです。
This is the cheapest among these.
The group can be a visible set of items too.
Vocabulary notes
- いちばん
- most; best
- この
- this
- これ
- this
Section 2 of 3
Favorites and personal bests
いちばん is very common with 好きです. It lets you say what you like best inside a group such as fruits, seasons, classes, or foods.
Target signal
くだものでりんごがいちばん好きです。
Among fruits, I like apples best.
The group is fruits, and the favorite item is apples.
Vocabulary notes
- いちばん
- most; best
- くだもの
- fruit
- りんご
- apple
Preview
季節では春がいちばん好きです。
Among the seasons, I like spring best.
The group can also be a category like the seasons.
Vocabulary notes
- いちばん
- most; best
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- では
- well then; in; by means of
Preview
家族で母がいちばん早く起きます。
My mother wakes up the earliest in my family.
A family group can also be the comparison set.
Vocabulary notes
- いちばん
- most; best
- ます
- polite verb ending
- 家族
- family
Section 3 of 3
Questions with いちばん
Superlative questions often use だれ or どれ. Look for the group first, then answer with the item that stands out most strongly.
Target signal
だれがいちばん親切ですか。
Who is the kindest?
A person question often starts with だれ.
Vocabulary notes
- いちばん
- most; best
- だれ
- who; anyone
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Preview
この中でどれがいちばん安いですか。
Which is the cheapest among these?
A thing question often starts with どれ.
Vocabulary notes
- いちばん
- most; best
- この
- this
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Preview
A: どれがいちばん人気ですか。 B: このケーキがいちばん人気です。
A: Which is the most popular? B: This cake is the most popular.
The answer often repeats only the best item and the adjective.
Vocabulary notes
- いちばん
- most; best
- ケーキ
- cake
- この
- this