頂
itadaki
The English phrase 'top' can be translated into Japanese as 頂 (itadaki) or 頂上. If unsure, use 頂.
Meaning: uppermost part (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 頂 | itadaki | |
| 頂上 | chōjō | [t͡ɕo̞ːʑo̞ː] (narrow) |
The words are used to describe the uppermost part or apex of something. While 頂 can refer to a single point or the abstract concept of a top, 頂上 is a common noun used specifically to describe a summit or peak, such as the top of a mountain.
Which one should you use?
頂上 (chōjō) is the more common noun for describing a summit or peak. In contrast, 頂 (itadaki) can refer to a single point or the general concept of a top.
How does it change in a sentence?
This verb is used when receiving an object or when eating something, which is a different usage from the noun meaning 'top'.
How do you pronounce it?
itadaki
Did you know?
- The word 頂 is the root of 頂きます (itadakimasu), the phrase said before meals. It literally means to raise something to the 'top' of one's head in a gesture of gratitude.
- The kanji for 頂 contains the radical for 'head' (頁), which is why it is used to denote the uppermost part of both physical objects and the human body.
- Japanese uses different words for 'top' depending on the object: 頂上 for mountains, てっぺん (teppen) for the very top of a head or a pole, and 上端 (jōtan) for the top edge of a paper.
Examples in context
- 頂上まで登ったよ。We climbed to the top.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 頂.Tatoeba #9641262 by small_snow, translation #1543550 by JimBreen
- 山頂には木がなかった。The top of the hill was bare.This sentence shows 頂 used in a sentence about a hill.Tatoeba #169385 by bunbuku, translation #245101 by CM
- 富士山は雪を頂いている。The top of Mt. Fuji is covered with snow.This sentence shows 頂 being used to describe Mt. Fuji.Tatoeba #84934 by small_snow, translation #318768 by CK
- このレポートの 上部 に情報を追加してください。Please add information to the top of this report.
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daito and Misaki are hiking up a hill.
- 大翔 Hirotoあと少しで頂だね。Ato sukoshi de itadaki da ne.We're almost at the top.
- 美咲 Misaki本当に？もう疲れたよ。Hontou ni? Mou tsukareta yo.Really? I'm already tired.
- 大翔 Hiroto頑張れ！頂からの景色は最高だよ。Ganbare! Itadaki kara no keshiki wa saikou da yo.Hang in there! The view from the top is the best.
- 美咲 Misakiわかった。最後まで歩くよ。Wakatta. Saigo made aruku yo.Alright. I'll walk to the end.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “top” translations and entries 頂, 頂上, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
