At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word '順位' (ranking) very often, but you will definitely see its components. You might know numbers like 1, 2, and 3. When you add '位' (i) to a number, it becomes '1st place' (1位 - ichi-i) or '2nd place' (2位 - ni-i). At this stage, just think of '順位' as a big word for 'the list of winners.' You might see it in a simple game or a sports result on TV. If you see '1位,' just know it means 'Number 1.' You don't need to worry about the complex grammar yet. Just remember that '位' is the special counter for ranking positions.
By A2, you are starting to describe things in more detail. You might use '順位' to talk about your favorite things or simple sports results. You can say '順位は3位でした' (The rank was 3rd). You should also learn the difference between '順位' (rank) and '順番' (turn). At this level, you might encounter '順位' in simple reading passages about school tests or sports days (undōkai). You should focus on how '順位' is used with the verb 'です' or 'だ' to state a fact about a position. It's a useful word to know when you want to say how well you did in a competition.
At the B1 level, you should be able to use '順位' comfortably in various contexts. You are now expected to understand compound words like '優先順位' (priority order), which is very common in workplace conversations. You should be able to describe changes in rank using verbs like '上がる' (rise) and '下がる' (fall). For example, '成績が上がって、順位も上がった' (My grades improved, and my rank rose too). You also begin to see '順位' in news articles about the economy or social trends. Understanding that '順位' refers to a comparative position is key for this level. You should also be able to use the particle 'を' with verbs like '競う' (to compete for) as in '順位を競う'.
At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance of '順位' in more formal and abstract settings. You will encounter it in business discussions regarding '市場占有率の順位' (market share rankings) or '検索順位' (search engine rankings). You should be able to use '順位' to explain complex situations, such as why a certain ranking system is used and what its criteria are. You'll also learn more sophisticated verbs like '変動する' (to fluctuate) or '確定する' (to finalize) in relation to rankings. At this level, you should also be able to distinguish between '順位' and more formal terms like '序列' (hierarchy) in social contexts, realizing that '順位' is often more about performance-based results.
At the C1 level, you use '順位' with precision in professional and academic writing. You might discuss the socio-economic implications of '格差と順位' (disparity and ranking) or analyze the '順位付けのアルゴリズム' (ranking algorithms) in technology. You are expected to understand the subtle connotations of the word—how it can imply a meritocratic society or create psychological pressure. You can use it in phrases like '順位に一喜一憂する' (to be alternately happy and sad over every change in ranking). Your vocabulary should include technical terms like '暫定順位' (provisional ranking) or '累積順位' (cumulative ranking). You can also critique the validity of certain rankings in a nuanced way.
At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of '順位' and can use it in highly specialized fields like statistics, law, or philosophy. You might discuss the '法的順位' (legal precedence) of claims in a bankruptcy case or the '論理的順位' (logical priority) of arguments in a philosophical debate. You understand the historical evolution of ranking systems in Japan, from the '位階' (court ranks) of the Heian period to modern-day corporate hierarchies. You can effortlessly switch between '順位', '序列', '格付け', and '位階' to convey exact shades of meaning. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, incorporating it into complex metaphors and rhetorical structures.

順位 en 30 secondes

  • 順位 means 'ranking' or 'order' based on performance or quality.
  • It is different from 順番 (junban), which means 'turn' or 'chronological order'.
  • Commonly used in sports, school grades, and business metrics.
  • Often paired with the counter '位' (i) for specific positions like 1位 (1st).

The word 順位 (じゅんい - jun'i) is a cornerstone of Japanese vocabulary when discussing hierarchy, competition, and organization. At its core, it refers to the specific position an entity holds within a structured list based on performance, quality, or a specific set of criteria. Unlike the word '順番' (junban), which refers to the chronological order or 'turn' of something, 順位 is strictly about the comparative status or rank. In a society that often values clear structures and benchmarks, understanding how to discuss rankings is essential for navigating everything from school life to corporate environments.

Hierarchical Context
In Japanese, 順位 is used whenever you need to quantify success. For instance, in a marathon, the person who crosses the finish line first holds the '1位' (ichi-i) or the top 順位. It is not just about being first; it is about where you stand in relation to every other participant. This applies to search engine results (SEO), sales targets, and even popularity polls for anime characters.
Objective Measurement
The term implies an objective or agreed-upon system of measurement. You wouldn't typically use 順位 for subjective preferences unless they have been tabulated into a list. For example, 'My ranking of favorite foods' would more likely use 'ランキング' (rankingu), whereas 'The ranking of the world's richest people' would use 順位.

「最新のテスト結果で、彼の順位は学年で一番だった。」

— Translation: In the latest test results, his ranking was first in the entire grade.

The kanji themselves tell a story. 順 (jun) means 'order' or 'to follow,' suggesting a logical sequence. 位 (i) means 'rank,' 'position,' or 'place.' Together, they form 'the position in a sequence.' This word is ubiquitous in sports journalism, where the '順位表' (jun'ihyō - standings table) is the most checked part of the newspaper or website during the baseball or soccer season. It is also a critical term in data science and statistics when referring to ordinal data.

Competitive Spirit
The concept of 順位 is deeply ingrained in the Japanese education system, where '偏差値' (hensachi - deviation values) and rankings often determine a student's future path. Consequently, the word can carry a sense of pressure or high stakes. When someone says '順位にこだわる' (to be obsessed with ranking), it suggests a competitive nature that prioritizes comparative success over personal growth.

「このサイトの検索順位を上げるために、SEO対策が必要です。」

— Translation: To raise the search ranking of this site, SEO measures are necessary.

Using 順位 correctly requires pairing it with the right verbs and particles. Since it is a noun representing a state or a result, it often functions as the subject or object of an action. The most common verbs you will encounter are '上げる' (to raise), '下がる' (to drop), '競う' (to compete for), and '決める' (to decide/determine).

Dynamic Movement
When a rank changes, we use directional verbs. '順位が上がる' (rank rises) and '順位が下がる' (rank falls) are the standard intransitive forms. If you are the one doing the work to change the rank, use the transitive '順位を上げる'. For example, '練習して順位を上げた' (I practiced and raised my rank).

「不況の影響で、我が社の業界内での順位が大きく落ちた。」

— Translation: Due to the recession, our company's ranking within the industry dropped significantly.

Another frequent usage involves the particle 'に' (ni) to indicate the specific place. '順位をつける' (jun'i o tsukeru) means to assign a rank or to grade things in order of preference or quality. This is often used in management or evaluation contexts. If you are describing the criteria for ranking, you use '~によって順位を決める' (determine the rank based on...).

Compound Usage
順位 is frequently combined with other nouns to create specific terms. '順位表' (standings/league table), '順位争い' (battle for ranking), and '優先順位' (order of priority) are essential compounds. '優先順位' is particularly important in business, meaning 'the order in which tasks should be handled based on importance'.

「仕事が多すぎるときは、優先順位をつけてから始めなさい。」

— Translation: When you have too much work, start after setting an order of priority.

In Japan, 順位 is a word that echoes through various facets of daily life, from the morning news to the school playground. Its usage is not limited to formal documents; it is a vital part of social comparison and goal setting. If you watch Japanese television, particularly during the sports segment, you will hear '順位' mentioned almost every minute as commentators discuss league standings or race results.

Sports and Competitions
Whether it's the J-League (soccer), Professional Baseball, or Sumo, the '順位' is what fans care about most. You'll hear phrases like '順位が入れ替わる' (the rankings swapped) when a team overtakes another. In individual sports like track and field or swimming, the '着順' (arrival order) determines the '順位'.

「昨日の試合の結果、チームの順位が3位に浮上した。」

— Translation: As a result of yesterday's game, the team's ranking rose to 3rd place.

In the academic world, students often receive their '順位' after standardized mock exams (模試 - moshi). This can be a source of great pride or stress. Teachers might say, '順位を気にしすぎるな' (Don't worry too much about the ranking), though the system often encourages the opposite. In the digital age, '検索順位' (search ranking) is a common topic among office workers and marketers discussing how high their company appears on Google or Yahoo Japan.

Business Context
During quarterly meetings, managers might discuss '売上順位' (sales ranking) among different branches. It is used to motivate staff and identify areas for improvement. When a company is described as '業界内での順位が高い' (highly ranked within the industry), it implies prestige and market dominance.

「新商品の売上順位を週ごとにチェックしています。」

— Translation: We are checking the sales ranking of new products on a weekly basis.

The most frequent mistake English speakers (and even some beginner Japanese learners) make is confusing 順位 (jun'i) with 順番 (junban). While both involve the concept of 'order,' they are used in entirely different scenarios. Using the wrong one can lead to confusion or sound unnatural.

順位 vs. 順番
Think of 順番 as a queue or a sequence in time. If you are waiting in line at a ramen shop, you are waiting for your '順番' (turn). If you are talking about who is the fastest runner in the group, you are talking about '順位' (rank). You would never say 'My ranking in the line is 3rd' using 順位; you would say 'I am 3rd in line' using 順番.

❌ 「次は私の順位です。」 (Wrong)

✅ 「次は私の順番です。」 (Correct)

— Note: You use '順番' for 'my turn'.

Another mistake involves the counter used with 順位. Because 順位 itself means 'ranking,' students sometimes forget that the specific position is counted with '~位' (i). You don't say '順位は3番です' (The ranking is number 3) as often as you say '順位は3位です' (The ranking is 3rd place). While '3番' (san-ban) is not technically wrong in all contexts, '3位' is the standard for formal rankings.

Confusion with 'Rank' (Level)
In gaming or martial arts, 'rank' often refers to a level or grade (like Black Belt or Gold Rank). In these cases, Japanese uses '段' (dan), '級' (kyū), or simply the English loanword 'ランク' (ranku). 順位 is strictly for relative position (1st, 2nd, 3rd) in a specific instance or list.

To truly master 順位, you should understand its neighbors in the Japanese lexicon. Depending on the formality and the specific type of 'order' or 'rank' you mean, other words might be more appropriate.

1. ランキング (Ranking)
This katakana version is extremely common in casual conversation, marketing, and media. While 順位 sounds a bit more technical or official, ランキング is used for 'Top 10' lists, popularity polls, and music charts. You 'check the ranking' (ランキングをチェックする).
2. 序列 (Joryetsu)
This is a much more formal and often rigid term. It refers to a social or organizational hierarchy. For example, 'the hierarchy of power' (権力の序列). It carries a nuance of status and seniority that 順位 does not necessarily have.
3. 格付け (Kakuzuke)
This refers to 'rating' or 'grading,' like a credit rating for a company (AAA, B, etc.). While a high 格付け often results in a high 順位, the former is about the quality/grade assigned, while the latter is the numerical position.

「この大学は世界順位では100位以内に入っている。」

— Translation: This university is within the top 100 in world rankings.

In summary, use 順位 for numerical positions in lists, 順番 for turns/sequences, ランキング for popular charts, and 序列 for formal hierarchies. Choosing the right word makes your Japanese sound more precise and sophisticated.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The kanji '位' (i) originally depicted a person standing (亻 + 立), representing a person's standing or status in court.

Guide de prononciation

UK /dʒuːni/
US /dʒuːni/
Jun'i is usually pronounced with a flat pitch accent (0), meaning the pitch stays relatively consistent after the first syllable.
Rime avec
Kuni (country) Funi (non-duality) Zuni (without doing) Muni (unique) Shuni (in the hand) Guni (group) Chuni (middle rank - though rare) Hani (Haniwa)
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing 'u' as a short vowel (should be long).
  • Confusing the pitch accent with 'jūni' (twelve), though they are similar.
  • Failing to clearly separate the 'n' and 'i' sounds.
  • Adding a stress accent on the first syllable like English 'JUN-i'.
  • Mumbling the 'i' at the end.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Kanji are common but require knowledge of the 'i' reading for 位.

Écriture 3/5

Writing 順 can be tricky due to the stroke order.

Expression orale 2/5

Easy to pronounce once the pitch accent is understood.

Écoute 2/5

Clear sounds, easily distinguishable in context.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

順番 番号 位置 一位 成績

Apprends ensuite

序列 格付け 優先 偏差値 競う

Avancé

弁済順位 存在論 累積 暫定 変動

Exemples par niveau

1

テストの順位は1位でした。

My test rank was 1st place.

Simple AはBです structure.

2

順位を見ます。

I look at the rankings.

Object marker 'o' used with 'miru'.

3

彼は2位です。

He is in 2nd place.

Using 'i' as a counter for rank.

4

順位はどこですか?

Where is the ranking?

Asking for location.

5

1位、2位、3位。

1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place.

Listing ranks.

6

順位が知りたいです。

I want to know the ranking.

Using 'tai' for desire.

7

田中さんの順位は?

What is Tanaka-san's rank?

Topic marker 'wa' for a question.

8

順位は大切ですか?

Is the ranking important?

Adjective 'taisetsu' with 'desu ka'.

1

昨日のマラソンの順位はどうだった?

How was the ranking in yesterday's marathon?

Casual past tense 'dō datta'.

2

順位が一つ上がりました。

My rank went up by one.

Intransitive verb 'agaru'.

3

クラスで5位以内の順位を目指す。

I aim for a rank within the top 5 in class.

Using 'inai' (within) and 'o mezasu' (aim for).

4

順位表を確認しましょう。

Let's check the standings table.

Volitional form 'mashō'.

5

名前の順位が書いてあります。

The names and ranks are written down.

State of being 'te arimasu'.

6

順位を気にする必要はないよ。

There's no need to worry about the ranking.

Using 'hitsuyō wa nai' (no need).

7

一番高い順位は誰ですか?

Who has the highest rank?

Superlative 'ichiban takai'.

8

このゲームで順位を競います。

We compete for rankings in this game.

Verb 'kisou' (compete).

1

仕事の優先順位を決めることが大切だ。

It's important to decide the priority of your work tasks.

Compound word 'yūsen jun'i'.

2

彼は順位を上げるために毎日練習している。

He practices every day to raise his rank.

Using 'tame ni' for purpose.

3

最新のランキングで順位が落ちてしまった。

The rank dropped in the latest ranking.

Regret form 'te shimatta'.

4

この学校では、テストの順位が公表される。

In this school, test rankings are made public.

Passive voice 'kōhyō sareru'.

5

上位の順位に入るのは難しい。

It is difficult to get into the high ranks.

Noun 'jōi' meaning high rank.

6

順位に関係なく、全力で頑張ろう。

Regardless of the rank, let's do our best with all our might.

Grammar 'ni kankeinaku' (regardless of).

7

検索順位が上がれば、アクセス数も増える。

If the search rank rises, the number of visits will also increase.

Conditional 'ba' form.

8

順位を一つでも上げたいと思っている。

I am thinking that I want to raise my rank even by one.

Using 'to omotte iru' for continuous thought.

1

暫定的な順位ではありますが、現在1位です。

Although it is a provisional ranking, we are currently in 1st place.

Formal 'de wa arimasu ga'.

2

売上順位の変動が激しい市場だ。

It's a market where sales rankings fluctuate wildly.

Noun modification with 'hendō ga gekishii'.

3

順位をつける基準を明確にする必要がある。

It is necessary to clarify the criteria for assigning ranks.

Nominalizing a verb with 'koto'.

4

彼は常にトップの順位を維持している。

He always maintains a top ranking.

Verb 'iji suru' (maintain).

5

チームの順位が入れ替わる劇的な展開となった。

It became a dramatic development where the team rankings swapped.

Verb 'irekawaru' (swap/exchange).

6

順位争いが激化している。

The battle for rankings is intensifying.

Verb 'gekika suru' (intensify).

7

このサイトの検索順位を安定させたい。

I want to stabilize the search ranking of this site.

Verb 'antei saseru' (stabilize - causative).

8

順位だけにこだわると、本質を見失う。

If you only obsess over rankings, you lose sight of the essence.

Using 'dake ni kodawaru'.

1

教育格差がテストの順位に如実に現れている。

Educational disparity is clearly reflected in test rankings.

Adverb 'nyojitsu ni' (clearly/vividly).

2

世界幸福度順位において、日本は例年通りの中位に甘んじている。

In the world happiness rankings, Japan remains content with a mid-range position as usual.

Verb 'amanjiru' (to be content with/settle for).

3

順位付けのプロセスにおける透明性が求められている。

Transparency in the ranking process is being demanded.

Passive voice 'motomerarete iru'.

4

企業の社会的責任を順位化する試みが始まった。

Attempts to rank corporate social responsibility have begun.

Suffix 'ka' (to turn into/ize).

5

不当な順位操作が発覚し、大きな不祥事となった。

Unfair ranking manipulation was discovered, leading to a major scandal.

Noun 'sōsa' (manipulation).

6

彼は順位に一喜一憂することのない、不動の精神を持っている。

He has a steadfast spirit, never fluctuating between joy and sorrow over rankings.

Four-character idiom 'ikki ichiyū'.

7

この指標は、単なる順位以上の意味を持っている。

This index holds more meaning than a mere ranking.

Phrase 'tannaru ... ijō' (more than a mere...).

8

アルゴリズムの更新により、検索順位が大幅に変動した。

Due to the algorithm update, search rankings fluctuated significantly.

Noun 'hendō' (fluctuation).

1

債権の弁済順位を確定させるための法的手続きを進める。

We will proceed with legal procedures to finalize the order of precedence for debt repayment.

Technical term 'bensai jun'i' (repayment order).

2

存在論的な順位において、どちらが先んじるべきか議論が分かれる。

Arguments are divided over which should take precedence in ontological order.

Academic term 'sonzairontaki' (ontological).

3

順位制の弊害が、組織の創造性を損なっているという指摘がある。

It has been pointed out that the harmful effects of the ranking system are undermining the organization's creativity.

Noun 'heigai' (harmful effect).

4

歴史的変遷を辿ると、社会階層の順位付けは常に権力と密接に関わってきた。

Tracing historical changes, the ranking of social strata has always been closely linked with power.

Phrase 'misshetsu ni kakawaru' (closely linked).

5

順位という概念そのものが、近代的な競争社会の産物であると言える。

It can be said that the concept of ranking itself is a product of modern competitive society.

Phrase '... no sanbutsu' (product of...).

6

情報の重要度に基づいた優先順位の動的再配置を実装する。

Implement dynamic reallocation of priorities based on information importance.

Technical term 'dōteki saihaiichi' (dynamic reallocation).

7

この論文は、美学的な価値判断における順位の無意味さを説いている。

This paper argues the meaninglessness of ranking in aesthetic value judgments.

Verb 'toku' (to explain/advocate).

8

順位を絶対視するあまり、個々の多様性が無視される傾向にある。

By over-emphasizing ranking, there is a tendency for individual diversity to be ignored.

Grammar '... amari' (so much that...).

Synonymes

順序 ランキング 序列 番付

Antonymes

無作為 ランダム

Collocations courantes

順位を上げる
順位が下がる
優先順位
順位を競う
検索順位
順位表
暫定順位
順位を確定する
売上順位
順位が入れ替わる

Phrases Courantes

順位をつける

— To rank things or assign a position.

重要度によって順位をつける。

順位がつく

— To be ranked or to have a result determined.

全員に順位がついた。

順位を争う

— To fight/compete for a position.

優勝をかけて順位を争う。

順位が不動

— The rank remains unchanged.

1位の順位は不動だ。

順位を落とす

— To drop in rank (transitive).

ミスで順位を落とした。

順位をキープする

— To maintain one's current rank.

今の順位をキープしたい。

順位に入る

— To enter a certain rank (e.g., top 10).

ベスト10の順位に入る。

順位を気にする

— To care about or worry about rankings.

他人の順位を気にしても仕方ない。

順位を下げる

— To lower the rank (transitive).

評価を下げて順位を下げる。

順位が見直される

— The ranking is being re-evaluated.

新しい基準で順位が見直された。

Expressions idiomatiques

"優先順位を誤る"

— To get one's priorities wrong.

優先順位を誤ると大変なことになる。

Neutral
"順位を二の次にする"

— To make ranking a secondary concern.

順位は二の次にして、楽しもう。

Casual
"順位が逆転する"

— The rankings are reversed.

最後に順位が逆転した。

Neutral
"順位を独占する"

— To monopolize the top ranks (e.g., one team taking all medals).

日本勢が上位の順位を独占した。

Formal
"順位に固執する"

— To be obsessed with or cling to rankings.

順位に固執しすぎると成長が止まる。

Neutral
"順位に甘んじる"

— To be satisfied with a mediocre rank.

現状の順位に甘んじてはいけない。

Formal
"順位を洗う"

— To scrutinize or re-examine the ranking (rare/specific).

全選手の順位を洗い直す。

Technical
"順位が浮上する"

— To rise up in the rankings (like coming to the surface).

一気に順位が浮上した。

Neutral
"順位を揺るがす"

— To shake or threaten a ranking.

王者の順位を揺るがす存在だ。

Literary
"順位に名を連ねる"

— To have one's name listed in the rankings.

世界のトップ順位に名を連ねる。

Formal

Famille de mots

Noms

順位 (ranking)
順序 (order)
順番 (turn)
位 (rank)
一位 (first place)

Verbes

順位付ける (to rank)
順ずる (to follow/correspond to)

Adjectifs

順調な (smooth/doing well)

Apparenté

ランキング
序列
格付け
順風満帆
順延

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'JUN'ior in a 'HI'gh (i) rank. Even a junior wants a good Jun'i!

Association visuelle

Imagine a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place podium with the word 順位 written on the side.

Word Web

Sports Grades SEO Priority Podium List Competition Result

Défi

Try to find the '順位' (standings) of your favorite Japanese baseball team or anime character popularity poll today.

Origine du mot

Composed of two Sino-Japanese characters (Kanji). '順' (jun) means to obey, follow, or order. '位' (i) means position, rank, or place. It entered Japanese through classical Chinese texts.

Sens originel : The position one follows or occupies in a hierarchy.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when discussing rankings of people, as it can imply a value judgment on their worth in certain social contexts.

Western cultures also value rankings but might find the public nature of some Japanese rankings (like school grades) more intense.

Oricon Weekly Ranking J-League Standings Shonen Jump Character Polls

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Sports

  • 順位表を見る
  • 1位に浮上する
  • 順位を落とす
  • 最下位を脱出する

School

  • テストの順位
  • 学年順位
  • 順位が公表される
  • 順位を上げる

Business

  • 優先順位を決める
  • 売上順位
  • 業界内での順位
  • 市場シェアの順位

Internet/SEO

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