安全第一
anzen daiichi
安全第一 (anzen daiichi) is the Japanese way to say "safety first".
安全第一 is a slogan used to emphasize that avoiding danger is the most important priority in any activity. It is most commonly seen as a slogan on signs at construction sites, factories and industrial workplaces in Japan.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 安全 (anzen), meaning 'safety' and 第一 (daiichi), meaning 'number one' or 'first'.
How do you pronounce it?
anzen daiichi
Did you know?
- Although it looks like a standard phrase, 安全第一 is actually a 'calque' or a direct loan translation from the English 'safety first'.
- In many Japanese workplaces, the philosophy of 安全第一 is not just a sign but a ritualized practice called 'Kiken Yochi'. This involves workers holding specific meetings to brainstorm and predict potential hazards before starting work.
- Using 安全第一 in a casual setting to tell a friend to be careful can sound strangely robotic or overly dramatic because the phrase is so deeply tied to industrial environments.
Examples in context
- 当社では常に安全第一をモットーにしています。At our company, safety first is always our motto.
- 建設現場では安全第一です。Kensetsu genba de wa anzen daiichi desu.At construction sites, safety first is the rule.
- 作業中は安全第一を心がけましょう。Sagyou chuu wa anzen daiichi o kokoro gake mashou.Let's keep safety first in mind during work.
- 実験の時は安全第一が基本です。Jikken no toki wa anzen daiichi ga kihon desu.When doing experiments, safety first is the basic principle.
Example conversation
Yota is reminding Himari to be careful while hiking.
- 陽太 Yota山道だから、安全第一で歩こう。Yamamichi dakara, anzen daiichi de arukou.It's a mountain path, so let's put safety first while walking.
- 陽葵 Himariそうだね。ゆっくり行こう。Sou dane. Yukkuri ikou.You're right. Let's go slowly.
- 陽太 Yota急がなくていいからね。Isoganakute ii kara ne.There is no need to rush.
- 陽葵 Himari気をつけるよ、陽太。Ki o tsukeru yo, Youta.I'll be careful, Yota.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 安全第一, CC BY-SA 4.0.
