一: the kanji for one
一 is a JLPT N5 kanji that means one. Below are its readings, 21 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
一 is written in 1 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
一 has 4 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 19 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
イチ (ichi)
On reading. It often becomes ik- or ip- before k, s, t or p sounds.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 一月いちがつ · ichigatsu | January |
| 一度いちど · ichido | once; one time |
| 一番いちばん · ichiban | number one; the most |
| 一日いちにち · ichinichi | one day; a day |
| 一回いっかい · ikkai | once; one time |
| 一緒いっしょ · issho | together |
| 一生いっしょう · isshō | one's whole life |
| 一般いっぱん · ippan | general; ordinary |
| 一週間いっしゅうかん · isshūkan | one week |
| 一部いちぶ · ichibu | a part; some |
| 一流いちりゅう · ichiryū | first-class |
| 第一だいいち · daiichi | first; most important |
イツ (itsu)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 統一とういつ · tōitsu | unification |
| 同一どういつ · dōitsu | identical; the same |
| 均一きんいつ · kin'itsu | uniform; flat (rate) |
ひと (hito)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 一言ひとこと · hitokoto | a word; a few words |
| 一息ひといき · hitoiki | a breath; a short break |
| 一休みひとやすみ · hitoyasumi | a short rest |
ひとつ (hitotsu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 一つひとつ · hitotsu | one (thing) |
Special readings to learn as whole words
These words use 一, but their readings do not follow the readings above. The Jōyō Kanji Table lists them as special readings. Learn each one as a whole word.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 一日ついたち · tsuitachi | the 1st of the month |
| 一人ひとり · hitori | one person; alone |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 一緒に昼ご飯を食べませんか。Issho ni hirugohan o tabemasen ka.Would you like to have lunch together?
- 会議は一時間で終わります。Kaigi wa ichijikan de owarimasu.The meeting will be over in an hour.
- 一度、資料を確認してください。Ichido, shiryō o kakunin shite kudasai.Please look over the materials once.
- 週に一回、日本語のレッスンがあります。Shū ni ikkai, Nihongo no ressun ga arimasu.I have a Japanese lesson once a week.
- 少し一休みしましょう。Sukoshi hitoyasumi shimashō.Let's take a short break.
- この店のラーメンが一番好きです。Kono mise no rāmen ga ichiban suki desu.I like the ramen at this restaurant the best.
Questions about 一
How many strokes does 一 have?
一 is written in 1 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 一?
The on readings are ichi (イチ), itsu (イツ). The kun readings are hito (ひと), hitotsu (ひとつ).
How do you say "one person" in Japanese?
Use 一人 (hitori). It is a special reading listed in the Jōyō Kanji Table. For two people, use 二人 (futari).
What JLPT level is 一?
N5. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N5 is designed to match the former Level 4.
More JLPT N5 kanji
Numbers and money
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 一
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.