Translation and Meaning of: 順番 - jyunban

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about Japan's culture, you may have come across the word 順番 (じゅんばん, junban). It appears in everyday situations, from supermarket lines to game rules, carrying a simple yet essential meaning for understanding Japanese social organization. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, how it is used in daily life, and why it reflects important values in Japan.

Meaning and use of 順番 in everyday life

順番 is a word that means "order" or "turn," indicating the sequence in which something should happen. In Japan, where harmony and respect for rules are fundamental, this term is often used to maintain organization in collective situations. For example, in waiting lines or when dividing tasks in a group, hearing phrases like 「順番を守ってください」 (Please respect the order) is common.

In addition to the practical context, 順番 also appears in games, competitions, and even in formal discussions. Whether in a card game or in a work meeting, knowing how to wait your turn is seen as a demonstration of politeness. This notion of "order" is not only functional but is also tied to the concept of 和 (wa), which values cooperation and social balance.

Origin and writing of 順番

The word 順番 is composed of two kanji: 順 (jun), which means "order" or "sequence," and 番 (ban), which can be translated as "turn" or "number." Together, they reinforce the idea of an organized sequence. It is worth noting that 順 also appears in other related words, such as 順序 (junjo, "logical order") and 順位 (jun'i, "ranking").

Although there are no significant records of dialectal variations for 順番, the pronunciation may change slightly in informal contexts, especially in quick conversations. However, the writing and meaning remain the same throughout Japan, which facilitates learning for Japanese language students.

Tips for memorizing and using 順番 correctly

An effective way to fix the meaning of 順番 is to associate it with concrete situations. Think about how the Japanese organize lines or how children learn to wait their turn at school. This visual context helps internalize the term. Another tip is to practice with simple phrases, such as 「私の順番ですか？」 (Is it my turn?).

To avoid confusion, remember that 順番 is not used for chronological order (in this case, 時間順, jikanjun, would be more appropriate). It also does not apply to social hierarchies, which involve terms like 階級 (kaikyuu). Mastering these nuances is essential for precise communication in Japanese.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 順序 (Junban) - Order; sequence.
• 順序列 (Junjoretsu) - List of order; ordered sequence.
• 順位 (Jun'i) - Position; ranking; hierarchical order.
• 順列 (Junretsu) - Permutation; arrangement of elements in order.
• 順次 (Junji) - Sequentially; one after the other.
• 順序表 (Junjo-hyō) - Order table; a table that shows the sequence.
• 順序数 (Junjo-sū) - Ordinal number; indicates position in a sequence.
• 順序組 (Junjo-gumi) - Ordered group; arrangement of a group in order.
• 順序対 (Junjo-tai) - In order; pairs that maintain a specific order.
• 順序関係 (Junjo kankei) - Order of relation; how the elements relate in order.
• 順序付け (Junjo-zuke) - Establishment of order; method of organizing.
• 順序性 (Junjo-sei) - Ordered nature; characteristic of being in order.
• 順序的 (Junjo-teki) - Regarding order; of a sequential nature.
• 順序不同 (Junjo-hitotsu) - Different order; change in the expected sequence.
• 順序変更 (Junjo-henkō) - Change of order; alteration of sequence.
• 順序交換 (Junjo-kōkan) - Order swapping; exchange between elements in the sequence.
• 順序反転 (Junjo-hanten) - Reversal of order; swapping the sequence to inverted.
• 順序比較 (Junjo-hikaku) - Comparison of order; analysis of sequences.
• 順序構造 (Junjo-kōzō) - Structure of order; hierarchical organization of elements.
• 順序演算 (Junjo-ensō) - Order calculation; operations involving sequences.
• 順序理論 (Junjo riron) - Theory of order; study of sequences and their properties.
• 順序解析 (Junjo-kaiseki) - Order analysis; examination of sequences.
• 順序制約 (Junjo-seiyaku) - Order restrictions; limitations on the sequence of elements.
• 順序制御 (Junjo-seigyo) - Order control; managing the sequence.
• 順序制御法 (Junjo-seigyō-hō) - Order control methods; techniques for managing sequences.
• 順序制御システム (Junjo-seigyō shisutemu) - Order control system; system to manage the sequence of processes.

順番

Romaji: jyunban
Kana: じゅんばん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: turn (on the line); order of things

Meaning in English: turn (in line);order of things

Definition: The sequence or order of organization of things.

Example Sentences - (順番) jyunban

See below some example sentences:

順番を守ってください。

Junban wo mamotte kudasai

Please respect the order.

Follow the request.

• 順番 - The term for "order" in Japanese is "秩序" (ちつじょ - chitsujo).
• を - Object particle in Japanese.
• 守って - The verb form of "守る" that means "to protect" or "to obey" in Japanese.
• ください - The verbal form of the verb "くださる" is an honorific verb that means "to give" or "to do for someone" in Japanese.

順番に並んでください。

Junban ni narande kudasai

Please, line up.

Please align in order.

• 順番に - means "in order," indicating that something should be done in a specific sequence.
• 並んで - means "to stand in line", indicating that people should line up in a queue.
• ください - It is a polite way to ask for something, in this case, asking people to line up.