定番

• Reading: ていばん
• Romaji: teiban
• Kanji breakdown: 定 (tei/sada) — fixed, standard; 番 (ban) — number, turn, item
• Pronunciation: /teː.baŋ/

Meaning

Standard; staple; classic; regular. Something that is always reliably popular, expected, or present — a go-to option.

A noun originally from the publishing and retail industry, referring to evergreen or always-in-stock items. Now used broadly in food, fashion, entertainment, and daily life to describe anything that has become a reliable, perennially popular choice. Carries a warm, familiar connotation rather than a stale one.

Examples

1. カレーライスは日本の家庭料理の定番だ。 Curry rice is a staple of Japanese home cooking.
2. このブランドのデザインは定番として長く愛されている。 This brand's design has long been loved as a classic.
3. プレゼントの定番といえばお菓子の詰め合わせだろう。 When it comes to standard gift choices, an assortment of sweets would be the obvious pick.

Usage Guide

Context: food, fashion, entertainment, everyday life

Tone: familiar

Origin & History

Derived from publishing terminology: 定 (fixed, standard) and 番 (number, rank, item). Originally referred to titles kept permanently in a catalogue.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal