びり

びり

last on the list, at the bottom

JLPT N1

Meaning and Usage

The word "びり" is a casual, often colloquial term used to indicate the last position or the bottom rank in a list, competition, or order. It is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe someone or something that is ranked lowest.

Common Contexts

"びり" is frequently used in contexts such as school rankings, sports competitions, or any situation where items or people are ordered by performance or status. It often carries a slightly negative or self-deprecating nuance when referring to oneself.

Collocations and Patterns

  • びりになる: to come in last
  • びりから二番目: second to last
  • びりっけつ (びりっけつ): a more emphatic or slangy form meaning the very last

Register and Nuance

"びり" is informal and typically used in casual speech rather than formal writing. It can express disappointment or humor depending on context. Avoid using it in formal or polite situations.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "びり" with "びりびり" (a mimetic word for tearing or crackling sounds). Remember that "びり" here strictly refers to ranking or order, not sounds or actions.

Use "びり" when you want to emphasize being at the very bottom in a ranking or order, especially in casual conversation.

Example Sentences

くらすでせいせきがびりだった。

I was last in the class in terms of grades.

まらそんでびりになってしまったけど、さいごまであきらめなかった。

I ended up last in the marathon, but I didn't give up until the end.

びりからにばんめのせきにすわった。

I sat in the second-to-last seat.