How to say "foremost" in Japanese

• 屈指くっしCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers 'foremost' in the sense of counting among the best in a field or category. It literally evokes counting on fingers, so it suggests one of a small, select number of outstanding people or things.
  彼女かのじょは日本にっぽんで屈指くっしの優すぐれたテニスの選手せんしゅであると言いっても過言かごんではない。↗

  It is not too much to say that she is one of the best tennis players in Japan.
• 第一だいいちJLPT N2approx.Common
  no-adjectiveThe most straightforward option when 'foremost' means simply first or number one in rank, importance, or priority. Use it when you mean the top one rather than one of several leading ones.
  まず、第だい一いちに名前なまえを書かきなさい。↗

  Write your name, first of all.
• 有数ゆうすうCommon
  na-adjective, no-adjective, noun (suffix)Suits 'foremost' in the sense of being one of the few most prominent or eminent in a category, often in factual descriptions such as an area being prominent for some measurable feature.
  この山やまは世界せかいでも有数ゆうすうの高たかい山やまです。↗

  This mountain is among the highest in the world.
• 指折りゆびおりCommon
  no-adjectiveLike 屈指 in nuance, it presents someone or something as among a handful of leading, eminent names in a field. It is a natural way to describe a leading figure, company, or institution.

All four describe being among the very best in some field: 屈指 and 「指折り」 emphasize counting among the leading few, 有数 stresses being one of the few outstanding ones, and 第一 is the plainest choice for simply 'number one'.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 屈指くっしleading
• 第一だいいちfirst
• 有数ゆうすうprominent
• 指折りゆびおりleading
• 一いちfirst