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)
Related words
hitotsu
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Romaji: ichi
Kana: いち
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5
Translation / Meaning: (Num) one
Meaning in English: (num) one
Definition: Number one
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (一) ichi
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (一) ichi:
Example Sentences - (一) ichi
See below some example sentences:
Naninimo subarashii ichinichi desu ne
It really is a wonderful day
It's a wonderful day.
- 如何にも - adverb meaning "truly" or "really"
- 素晴らしい - adjective meaning "wonderful" or "splendid"
- 一日 - noun meaning "one day"
- です - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality
- ね - final particle that indicates a rhetorical question or a confirmation
Hajimeru koto wa seikou e no daiichi ho desu
Starting is the first step towards success.
Starting is the first step to success.
- 始めること - beginning
- は - Topic particle
- 成功への - towards success
- 第一歩 - First step
- です - Verb to be/estar
Chikyuu wa watashitachi no yuiitsu no ie desu
The earth is our only home.
The earth is our only home.
- 地球 (chikyuu) - Planet Earth
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 私たち (watashitachi) - we
- の (no) - Possessive particle
- 唯一の (yuiitsu no) - single
- 家 (ie) - house
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar
Dōitsu jinbutsu da to omoimasu
I think it's the same person.
I think it's the same person.
- 同一 (douitsu) - means "same" or "identical".
- 人物 (jinbutsu) - means "character" or "figure".
- だと (da to) - a combination of particles that indicates an assumption or belief.
- 思います (omoimasu) - means "I believe" or "I think".
Yuui no sonzai de aru
It is the only existence.
It is the only existence.
- 唯一の (yuiitsu no) - single
- 存在 (sonzai) - existence
- である (de aru) - is
Senri no michi mo ippo kara
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
From the journey of a thousand miles per inch
- 千里 - it means "one thousand miles", it is a unit of distance measurement in the Japanese metric system.
- の - particle indicating possession or relationship between two things.
- 道 - means "path" or "road".
- も - particle indicating inclusion or addition.
- 一歩 - means "a step".
- から - particle that indicates starting point or cause.
Dentatsu wa taisetsu na komyunikēshon no ichibu desu
Communication is an important part of transmitting information.
Transmission is part of an important communication.
- 伝達 (Dentatsu) - transmission, communication
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
- な (na) - particle that emphasizes an adjective
- コミュニケーション (komyunikeeshon) - Communication
- の (no) - Particle indicating possession or relationship
- 一部 (ichibu) - Part, section
- です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense
Jūtaku wa watashitachi no jinsei no naka de mottomo ōkina kaimono no hitotsu desu
A house is one of the biggest purchases in our lives.
Housing is one of the biggest purchases in our lives.
- 住宅 (juutaku) - house, residence
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 私たち (watashitachi) - we, our
- の (no) - Possession particle
- 人生 (jinsei) - life
- の中で (no naka de) - Inside of
- 最も (mottomo) - the most, the most important
- 大きな (ookina) - large
- 買い物 (kaimono) - purchase, purchase of goods
- の (no) - Possession particle
- 一つ (hitotsu) - one of the
- です (desu) - verb to be, to stay
Yokyou wa paatii no tanoshimi no hitotsu desu
Fun is one of the most anticipated things at a party.
Entertainment is one of the pleasures of the party.
- 余興 - Entertainment
- は - Topic particle
- パーティー - Party
- の - Possessive particle
- 楽しみ - Diversão
- の - Possessive particle
- 一つ - I’m sorry, but I cannot assist with that.
- です - Ser/estar (linking verb)
Nakama to issho ni iru to tanoshii desu
It's fun to be with friends.
It's fun to be with your friends.
- 仲間 - It means "companion/friend"
- と - it is a particle that indicates the company of someone
- 一緒に - It means "together/with"
- いる - It is a verb that indicates the action of being present.
- と - it is a particle that indicates the company of someone
- 楽しい - It is an adjective that means "fun/enjoyable"
- です - It is a particle that indicates formality and the end of the sentence.