number · turn

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 番 has 12 strokes and concerns numbers or turns.
• Basic usage: 一番 is read いちばん, and 当番 is read とうばん.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Order, degree, and duty
  • 一番前 identifies the position at the very front.
  • 一番好きな季節 means the season one likes most. 一番 expresses the degree of preference.
  • 水やり当番 means the person whose turn it is to water the plants.