2 Japanese words read ban
ban (ばん) is shared by 2 distinct words, each with its own kanji and meaning. Jump to: 晩 · ～番.
晩
ばんEvening, night
N5noun·ban
How to remember it
'Ban' is the start of 晩御飯 (dinner) — the evening meal.
Example sentences
晩は家にいます。
ばんはいえにいます。
I'll be at home in the evening.
晩のニュースを見ます。
ばんのニュースをみます。
I watch the evening news.
Usage
Slightly softer/literary than 夜; common in 晩御飯 for dinner.
Related words
晩御飯夜朝夕方
～番
～ばんNumber, turn, rank
N5suffix·ban
How to remember it
Attach 番 to a number to mark rank or order, like 'number one.'
Example sentences
一番早い電車です。
いちばんはやいでんしゃです。
It's the earliest train.
三番のバスに乗ります。
さんばんのバスにのります。
I take the number three bus.
Usage
Counter suffix for order/rank; precedes の before a noun.
Related words
番号一番目号