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ひときわ Japanese meaning | Kotomora
JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Meanings 1
adverb
conspicuously ; noticeably ; remarkably ; especially
usually written using kana alone
Highlights that something stands out from its surroundings or is markedly different in degree. Often used with adjectives or verbs describing appearance, quality, or feeling.
Among the autumn leaves, this tree alone is conspicuously red.
Written forms ひときわ Usage 82%
Usually written in kana. The kanji form 一際 exists but is less common.
一ひと 際きわ Usage 16%
Kanji form; less common than kana. The search-only form 一きわ is not included as a practical written variant.
一ひと きわ Usage 1%
Similar words 特とく に 特に is a general-purpose 'especially' or 'particularly', while ひときわ emphasizes visual or sensory conspicuousness, often implying 'one thing standing out from the rest'.
際きわ 立だ って 際立って is more formal and often used in written language; ひときわ is slightly more colloquial and vivid.
Etymology Derived from 一 (ひと, 'one') + 際 (きわ, 'edge' or 'distinction'), literally 'one notch' or 'one degree', suggesting something that stands out by a clear margin.
