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:

一日一生の大切な時間です。

Ichinichi isshou no taisetsu na jikan desu

A day is an important moment in life.

It is an important moment for a lifetime.

• 一日 (ichinichi) - um dia
• 一生 (isshou) - a lifetime
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important
• な (na) - adjective particle
• 時間 (jikan) - time
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

一昨日はとても暑かったです。

Ototoi wa totemo atsukatta desu

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) - verb to be in the polite form

一昨年の夏に日本を訪れました。

Issakunen no natsu ni Nihon wo otozuremashita

I visited Japan two years ago.

• 一昨年 - "the year before last", i.e. "the year before last"
• の - Possession particle
• 夏 - "summer"
• に - particle of time
• 日本 - Japan
• を - direct object particle
• 訪れました - "visited"

一生に一度の経験をしたい。

Isshou ni ichido no keiken wo shitai

I want to have a unique experience in life.

I want to experience it once in a lifetime.

• 一生 (isshou) - means "a lifetime"
• に (ni) - a particle that indicates the target or the time at which something occurs
• 一度 (ichido) - "once"
• の (no) - a particle that indicates possession or attribution
• 経験 (keiken) - means "experience"
• を (wo) - a particle that indicates the direct object of the action
• したい (shitai) - means "to want to do"

一気にやり遂げよう！

Ikki ni yaritoge yo!

Let's do everything at once!

• 一気に - "at once", "in one go"
• やり遂げよう - "let's complete", "let's accomplish"

一筋の道を進む

Issun no michi wo susumu

Go forward in a straight path.

follow the road

• 一筋 - a straight line, a single direction
• の - possessive particle, indicating that the previous word is the possessor
• 道 - path, road
• を - direct object particle, indicating that the previous word is the object of the action
• 進む - Move forward, progress

一種の花が咲いた。

Hitotsu no hana ga saita

A kind of flower bloomed.

• 一種の - "um tipo de"
• 花 - "flower"
• が - subject particle
• 咲いた - "bloomed"

一週間は七日間です。

Isshukan wa nananichikan desu

A week has seven days.

A week is seven days.

• 一週間 - A week
• は - Topic particle
• 七日間 - Seven days
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

一見は十年の修行という言葉がある。

Hitomi wa jūnen no shugyō to iu kotoba ga aru

There is a saying that a single look is equivalent to ten years of training.

At first glance, there is a ten -year training.

• 一見 - means "at first sight" or "at first glance".
• 十年 - means "ten years".
• の - Title that indicates possession or expiration.
• 修行 - means "training" or "discipline".
• という - an expression that indicates that the previous word is quoted or mentioned.
• 言葉 - means "word" or "expression".
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• ある - Verb that means "to exist" or "to have".

一部の本を読みました。

Ichibu no hon wo yomimashita

I read a book of a part.

I read some books.

• 一部の - "some"
• 本 - "books"
• を - direct object particle
• 読みました - "he/she"