番

• Reading: ばん
• Romaji: ban
• Kanji breakdown: 番 (ban) — order, number, turn; depicts orderly sowing
• Pronunciation: /baɴ/

Meaning

Number (in a series); turn; order. Used to indicate position or sequence.

Primarily used as a suffix to indicate numerical order: 一番 (いちばん, number one/first/most), 二番 (にばん, number two). Also means 'turn' or 'watch duty' as in 番をする (to stand guard). 一番 is especially common as an adverb meaning 'the most' in everyday speech.

Examples

1. 一番好きな食べ物は何ですか。 What is your favorite food?
2. 電話番号を教えてください。 Please tell me your phone number.
3. 次は私の番です。 It's my turn next.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, sports, school

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 番 originally depicted hands sowing seeds in order, conveying the idea of sequence and taking turns. The upper component represents a rice field being planted in orderly rows.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal