一流|いちりゅうichiryuu[0]heiban (flat)

1. no-adjectivefirst-class; first-rate; top-flight; top-ranking; leading; eminent; top
   こんな一流いちりゅう選手せんしゅが相手あいてでは勝ち目かちめがない。↗

   We have no chance against those top players.
2. no-adjectivecharacteristic (of); peculiar (to); unique (to)
3. nounschool (e.g. of flower arrangement)
4. nounone flag; one banner; one streameralso written as 一旒

• Synonym一等いっとうNeutralFirst place or the top prize, and as an adverb 'most'. 「一流」 stresses top-level quality and also covers a distinctive style or school.
• Synonym一級いっきゅうNeutralOne grade or the top grade, as in 「一級建築士」; also rates quality, as in 「一級品」. 「一流」 additionally covers schools and distinctive style.
• Synonym第１級だいいっきゅうWrittenWritten/formal: the highest grade; also rates quality, as in 「第一級の資料」. 「一流」 also covers schools and distinctive style.
• SynonymAクラスCasualColloquial: A-grade, a high tier, for people, shops, products, rankings, etc.; not necessarily the top of a grading system. 「一流」 can also mean a distinctive style.

Use 「一流」 for top-level quality or a distinctive style, as in 「一流企業」 and 「彼一流の冗談」. For first place say 「一等」; for the highest grade, 「一級」.

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

1. （第だい一流いちりゅうの略りゃく）優秀ゆうしゅう。優良ゆうりょう。またそのようなものや人ひと。
2. ある流派りゅうはや親族しんぞく・一族いちぞく。
3. （一いち旒りゅうに替かえ）一いち本ぽんの旗はた。
4. 独特どくとく。個性的こせいてきなやりかた。（しばしば、皮肉ひにくを込こめる。）