一等

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 一等 is read as いっとう and means either first prize in a drawing or first grade in a quality classification.
• Basic usage: Use 一等の自転車 for a bicycle offered as first prize and 一等に分類する for classifying something as first grade.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Difference between 一等 and 一位
  • The former indicates a prize or quality grade, whereas the latter indicates first place in a ranking or competition.