Meaning and Usage
"一流" (いちりゅう) means "first-class" or "top-level" and is used to describe people, skills, companies, or things that are outstanding or leading in their field. It often implies high quality, excellence, or superior status.
Common Contexts
You will frequently hear "一流" used to praise professionals like chefs, athletes, or companies with excellent technology or reputation. It is a positive and respectful term.
Collocations and Patterns
- 一流の + noun: to describe something or someone as top-class (e.g., 一流の選手, 一流の技術)
- 一流になる: to become first-class or top-level
- 一流の〜として: as a first-class ~ (e.g., 一流のシェフとして)
Register and Nuance
"一流" is generally neutral to polite and suitable for formal and informal contexts. It conveys admiration and respect without exaggeration.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "一流" with "有名" (famous). While a person or thing can be both famous and first-class, "一流" specifically emphasizes quality and excellence rather than just popularity.