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:

人類は地球上で最も進化した生物の一つです。

Jinrui wa chikyūjō de mottomo shinka shita seibutsu no hitotsu desu

Humanity is one of the most evolved creatures on earth.

Humanity is one of the most evolved creatures on earth.

• 人類 (jinrui) - Human race
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 地球上 (chikyuu jou) - in the land
• で (de) - Location particle
• 最も (mottomo) - the most
• 進化した (shinka shita) - evolved
• 生物 (seibutsu) - Living being
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 一つ (hitotsu) - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です (desu) - Verb "to be"

丸々一日遊べるように予定を立てよう。

Marumaru ichinichi asoberu yō ni yotei o tateyō

Let's make a plan so we can spend the whole day playing.

Let's make a plan so you can play all day.

• 丸々 - completely, entirely
• 一日 - um dia
• 遊べる - can play/divertir-se
• ように - so that, so that
• 予定 - plan, schedule
• を - object particle
• 立てよう - let's do, let's create

一向に構わない

Ikkou ni kamawanai

It doesn't matter anything

It doesn't matter anything

• 一向に - ikkouni - adverb that means "absolutely", "by no means", "in no way"
• 構わない - kamawanai - Verb that means "not to care", "not to worry"

一家団欒が大切です。

Ikkadanran ga taisetsu desu

A união familiar é importante.

Family meeting is important.

• 一家 (ikka) - means "a family"
• 団欒 (danran) - means "family harmony"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大切 (taisetsu) - means "important"
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form

一括払いができますか？

Hitotsugatsumatsu barai ga dekimasu ka?

Can I make a fixed payment?

Can I pay a fixed amount?

• 一括払い - single payment
• が - particle that indicates subject
• できます - verb indicating ability or possibility to do something
• か - particle that indicates a question

一敗は再起の母。

Ichihai wa saiki no haha

Defeat is the mother of reinvention.

A defeat is the mother of the resurrection.

• 一敗 - "a defeat"
• は - Topic particle
• 再起 - "recovery, resurgence"
• の - Possession particle
• 母 - "mother"

一昨日はとても暑かったです。

Ototoi wa totemo atsukatta desu

The day before yesterday it was very hot.

The previous day was very hot.

• 一昨日 (ototoi) - the day before yesterday
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 暑かった (atsukatta) - It was hot
• です (desu) - polite way of being

一時の出来事を忘れないでください。

Ichiji no dekigoto wo wasurenai de kudasai

Please do not forget the temporary incident.

Do not forget the temporary event.

• 一時の出来事 - temporary event
• を - object particle
• 忘れないで - do not forget
• ください - Please

一生懸命頑張ります。

Isshoukenmei ganbarimasu

I will do my best.

I will do my best.

• 一生懸命 - intensely, with every effort
• 頑張ります - I'll try hard, I'll do my best

一番大切なのは家族です。

Ichiban taisetsu na no wa kazoku desu

The most important thing is the family.

The most important thing is the family.

• 一番 - the most important
• 大切 - precious, valuable
• な - particle indicating emphasis
• の - Particle that indicates possession
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 家族 - family
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form