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:

一人でには寂しいです。

Hitori de ni wa sabishii desu

It's lonely being alone.

I'm alone alone.

• 一人でには - alone
• 寂しい - lonely
• です - is

一定の時間が必要です。

Ittei no jikan ga hitsuyou desu

You need some time.

• 一定の (ittei no) - It means "defined".
• 時間 (jikan) - means "time"
• が (ga) - grammatical particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - It means "necessary".
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form

一同に頑張りましょう。

Ittou ni ganbarimashou

Let's work together.

Let's do our best together.

• 一同に - "all together"
• 頑張りましょう - "let's make an effort"

一層高くなりたいです。

Issou takaku naritai desu

I want to be a higher level.

I want to be even higher.

• 一層 - "ichi sou" means "one floor" or "one level."
• 高く - "takaku" means "tall"
• なりたい - "naritai" means "to want to become"
• です - "desu" is a final particle that indicates formality and politeness.

一寸先は闇だ。

Issun saki wa yami da

The future is uncertain.

One dimension is dark.

• 一寸先 - "one centimeter ahead"
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 闇 - "darkness"
• だ - Verb "to be" in the present tense

一年に一回のイベントが楽しみです。

Ichinen ni ikkai no ibento ga tanoshimi desu

I look forward to the event once a year.

• 一年 (ichi-nen) - one year
• に (ni) - Document that indicates time or place
• 一回 (ik-kai) - once
• の (no) - Article that indicates possession or attribution
• イベント (ibento) - event
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 楽しみ (tanoshimi) - Prazer, diversão
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

一帯には美しい自然がたくさんあります。

Ittai ni wa utsukushii shizen ga takusan arimasu

There are a lot of beautiful nature in the area.

• 一帯 - region, area
• には - particle indicating location
• 美しい - Beautiful, nice
• 自然 - nature
• が - particle that indicates subject
• たくさん - many, much
• あります - exist, be present

一斉に行動しよう。

Issai ni koudou shiyou

Let's act at once.

• 一斉に - simultaneously, at the same time
• 行動 - action, movement
• しよう - let's do, let's act

一度に何をするのが好きですか？

Ichido ni nani wo suru no ga suki desu ka?

What do you like at once?

• 一度に - "at once" or "at the same time"
• 何 - "what"
• する - "to do"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• が - particle that indicates subject
• 好き - "to like"
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense
• か - particle that indicates a question

一旦考えてみます。

Ittan kangaete mimasu

I'll think a little about it.

Let's think once.

• 一旦 - once
• 考えて - think
• みます - I am going to try