人一倍（ひといちばい、hitoichibaい）
- more than others

The Japanese word 人一倍 (ひといちばい), literally translates to "one person's amount multiplied," meaning "more than others," "twice as much as others," or "extraordinary." It describes someone who possesses a quality, ability, or characteristic to a greater degree than the average person. The implied comparison is always with the norm or the general population. The word emphasizes the degree to which someone excels or is different. The meaning hinges on the element of comparison. It is frequently used to emphasize exceptional effort, talent, or dedication.

⚫︎彼は人一倍努力家だ。 Translation: He works harder than everyone else. ⚫︎彼女は人一倍責任感が強い。 Translation: She has a stronger sense of responsibility than others. ⚫︎彼は人一倍の才能を持っている。 Translation: He has an extraordinary talent.

You can use 人一倍 in various situations. ⚫︎When describing someone's effort: 人一倍 is suitable for highlighting dedication and hard work. ⚫︎When praising someone's skill: It applies when acknowledging exceptional abilities. ⚫︎When noting a strong trait: It is appropriate to mention when someone has a characteristic that is more intense than others. It's crucial to understand the context and the specific quality you are referring to when using 人一倍.

人一倍 is typically written in kanji and hiragana. ⚫︎The kanji are 人 (hito - person), 一 (ichi - one), and 倍 (bai - times, double). ⚫︎The hiragana reading is ひといちばい. ⚫︎There are no variations in okurigana for this word.

Here are some synonyms for 人一倍: ⚫︎格段に（kakudan ni）- remarkably, exceptionally ⚫︎非常に（hijō ni）- very, extremely ⚫︎ずば抜けて（zubanukete）- outstandingly, exceptionally ⚫︎並外れて（namihazurete）- extraordinarily, exceptionally ⚫︎特別（tokubetsu）- special, especially

Here are some antonyms for 人一倍: ⚫︎普通（futsuu）- ordinary, normal ⚫︎平凡（heibon）- commonplace, ordinary ⚫︎劣る（otoroeru）- to be inferior ⚫︎及ばない（oyobanai）- not as good as, not up to

彼は人一倍練習したので、試合で優勝できた。 ・Translation: Because he practiced twice as hard as others, he was able to win the match. ・Explanation: This sentence emphasizes that the person's dedication to practice resulted in a victory. The use of 人一倍 clearly indicates that their efforts exceeded the norm.

彼女は人一倍の気遣いができる人だ。 ・Translation: She is a person who is exceptionally considerate. ・Explanation: This sentence shows that the person possesses a high level of thoughtfulness and consideration for others, going beyond what is typical.

The etymology of 人一倍 is relatively straightforward. ⚫︎人 (hito) refers to "people" or "person." ⚫︎一 (ichi) means "one." ⚫︎倍 (bai) signifies "times" or "double." Therefore, the word's origin directly reflects its meaning: "one person's amount times, or more" It emphasizes a degree that surpasses the typical individual. The term has evolved to encompass a broad range of qualities and abilities.