GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜を筆頭に
Names the most representative or central member first and groups the rest of the members with that person.
Examples
部長を筆頭に、社員全員が復旧作業を手伝った。
Led by the department manager, all the employees helped with the recovery work.
Words used
校長を筆頭に、先生方が集まった。
Headed by the principal, the teachers gathered together.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
を筆頭にnames a leading member before presenting the group together;筆頭is readひっとう. - Basic usage:
部長を筆頭に、社員全員が復旧作業を手伝った。says that all employees, headed by the department manager, helped with recovery.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- The leading member versus arrival order
校長を筆頭に、先生方が集まったpresents the principal as the leading member. It does not say the principal arrived first, so prominence in the group differs from arrival order.