Translation and Meaning of: 一 - ichi

If you are studying Japanese, you have certainly encountered the kanji 一 (いち), which simply means "one". But is this word as simple as it seems? In this article, we will delve into its etymology, its use in everyday Japanese, the meaning behind its unique stroke, and even some curiosities that will help you memorize it for good. Additionally, you will discover how this word appears in common expressions and why it is so important for those who want to master the basics of the language. Here at Suki Nihongo, you will also find practical examples and ready-made sentences to include in your Anki or other spaced repetition systems.

Origin and etymology of the kanji 一

The kanji 一 is one of the oldest and simplest in the Japanese language, directly derived from archaic Chinese. Its form is a unique horizontal line, representing the idea of unity, the first number in counting. Interestingly, this character is so essential that it appears in various other kanjis as a radical component, as in 二 (two) and 三 (three), which follow the same logic of stroke repetition.

In ancient China, writing began with records on bones and turtle shells, and "one" was represented by a single stroke. This simplicity has been maintained throughout the centuries, making it one of the first characters that students learn. If you've ever tried writing it by hand, you know it looks easy, but it requires a certain control to keep the stroke even — a challenge for beginners!

Everyday use and popular expressions

Besides being used alone as a numeral, 一 appears in several useful combinations. For example, 一人 (ひとり) means "one person" or "alone," while 一番 (いちばん) means "the best" or "first place." Anyone who has watched anime or Japanese dramas has certainly heard phrases like 「一番になりたい！」 ("I want to be number one!"). This word is also essential in basic counting, such as 一つ (ひとつ) for objects and 一日 (いちにち) for "one day."

Another interesting use is in proper names. Many Japanese people use 一 in their names to convey the idea of uniqueness or beginning, such as in 一郎 (Ichirō), a common name that carries the meaning of "first son". If you've ever wondered why so many anime characters have "ichi" in their name, now you know the reason!

Tips for memorization and curiosities

A fun way to remember this kanji is to associate it with something that has a single part — imagine a ruler with a single stroke or even a toothpick lying down. If you enjoy word games, it's worth knowing that いち can be used in puns, such as in the catchphrase 「いち、にの、さん！」 ("One, two, three!"), common in children's games. And if you have heard of the game Oicho-Kabu, a traditional Japanese card game, note that "Oicho" comes precisely from "1-2-3" in the old pronunciation.

For beginners, a valuable tip is to pay attention to the stroke order. Although it is just one line, it should be written from left to right, with a clear beginning and end. And if you've ever wondered why sometimes "1" in Japanese is written as １ (western numeral) and other times as 一, the answer is simple: informal contexts often use the numeral, while formal or traditional texts prefer the kanji.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• ひとつ (hitotsu) - One (count of objects)
• いち (ichi) - One (number)
• ひ (hi) - One (only, in some counts)
• かず (kazu) - Number (general)
• ひとり (hitori) - A person
• ひとつき (hitotsuki) - One month (time period)
• ひとあし (hitoashi) - One step
• ひとくち (hitokuchi) - A bite
• ひとくみ (hitokumi) - A set
• ひとづつ (hitodutsu) - One by one
• ひとせ (hitose) - one time
• ひとたび (hitotabi) - Once (in formal contexts)

一

Romaji: ichi
Kana: いち
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: (Num) one

Meaning in English: (num) one

Definition: Number one

Example Sentences - (一) ichi

See below some example sentences:

漁業は日本の重要な産業の一つです。

Gyogyo wa Nihon no juuyou na sangyou no hitotsu desu

Fishing is one of the important industries in Japan.

Fishing is one of the important industries in Japan.

• 漁業 - fishing
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 重要な - important
• 産業 - industry
• の - Possession particle
• 一つ - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です - is

気が合う人と一緒にいると楽しいです。

Ki ga au hito to issho ni iru to tanoshii desu

It's fun to be with people who have the same energy as you.

It's fun to be with the people you care about.

• 気が合う - kigaau - to have similar interests or personalities
• 人 - hito - person
• と - to - with
• 一緒に - together - together
• いる - go be
• と - to - with
• 楽しい - Fun - fun
• です - is (a Japanese copula, often used to indicate a state of being) is

板は木材の一種です。

Ita wa mokuzai no issu desu

Placa is a type of wood.

The plank is a kind of wood.

• 板 (ita) - board, plank
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 木材 (mokuzai) - wood, wooden material
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 一種 (isshu) - a kind, a species
• です (desu) - Verb ser/estar (polite form)

曲線美は日本の美意識の一つです。

Kyuusenbi wa Nihon no biishiki no hitotsu desu

The beauty of curves is one of the aesthetic sensibilities of Japan.

The beauty of curvature is one of Japan's aesthetics.

• 曲線美 - the beauty of curves
• は - Topic marking particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 美意識 - sense of beauty
• の - Possession particle
• 一つ - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です - verb to be in the polite form

敗北を受け入れることが勝利への第一歩です。

Haiboku wo ukeireru koto ga shouri e no daiichiho desu

Accepting defeat is the first step to victory.

Accepting defeat is the first step to victory.

• 敗北 (haiboku) - defeat
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 受け入れる (ukeireru) - accept, receive
• こと (koto) - noun maker
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 勝利 (shouri) - victory
• への (he no) - Direction particle
• 第一歩 (daiippou) - First step
• です (desu) - verb to be, to stay

彼女の健康状態は衰える一方だ。

Kanojo no kenkō jōtai wa otoroeru ippō da

Your health condition is worsening.

Your health is about to decline.

• 彼女の - "her" - "from her/hers"
• 健康状態は - "kenkou joutai wa" - health condition is "health condition is"
• 衰える - "oshieru" - to teach declining
• 一方だ - "ippou da" - Only in Japanese more and more

寄付は社会貢献の一つの方法です。

Kifu wa shakai kōken no hitotsu no hōhō desu

Donation is a way to contribute to society.

Donating is a way to contribute to society.

• 寄付 (きふ) - donation
• は - Topic particle
• 社会貢献 (しゃかいこうけん) - contribution to society
• の - Possession particle
• 一つ (ひとつ) - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• の - Possession particle
• 方法 (ほうほう) - method
• です - Verb ser/estar (polite form)

対辺は三角形の辺の一つです。

Taiben wa sankakkei no hen no hitotsu desu

The hypotenuse is one side of the triangle.

The opposite is one of the triangles.

• 対辺 - means "opposite side" in Japanese, referring to the opposite side of an angle in a triangle.
• 三角形 - Means "triangle" in Japanese.
• 辺 - means "side" in Japanese, referring to one side of a triangle.
• 一つ - means "one" in Japanese, indicating that the side mentioned is one of the sides of the triangle.
• です - is a Japanese particle that indicates a statement or statement.

大木は林の中で一番高いです。

Taiki wa hayashi no naka de ichiban takai desu

The large tree is the highest of the forest.

The large tree is the highest of the forest.

• 大木 - Means "big tree" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that "大木" is the topic of the sentence.
• 林 - Means "forest" in Japanese.
• の - particle of possession in Japanese, indicating that "林" is the owner of something.
• 中 - means "in the middle" in Japanese.
• で - location particle in Japanese, indicating that "林" is the place where something happens.
• 一番 - means "the most" in Japanese, indicating that "大木" is the tallest tree.
• 高い - means "tall" in Japanese, indicating the characteristic of "大木".
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is a statement.

大胆な挑戦は成功への第一歩です。

Daitan na chōsen wa seikō e no daiippou desu

A bold challenge is the first step to success.

Bold challenges are the first step to success.

• 大胆な挑戦 - defiant boldness
• は - Topic particle
• 成功への - towards success
• 第一歩 - First step
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present