一

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 一、二、三。▶ —
   One, two, three.
2. 一時に始まります。▶ —
   It starts at one o'clock.

Collocations

Mnemonic

一 ichi — Sino-Japanese (onyomi) reading is ichi; native (kunyomi) reading is hito. Use ichi in compounds (一時 ichiji, 一回 ikkai). Use hito for things/people: 一つ hitotsu (one item), 一人 hitori (one person).

Quick check

1. How do you write "one person" in Japanese?

   • 一人 hitori (correct, native reading)
   • 一人 ichinin (incorrect — not used for "one person")
   • 一個 ikko (used for objects, not people)
   • 一名 ichimei (formal/written, but hitori is N5 standard)