Translation guide
Describes completing an action all at once, without stopping or in a single attempt. Japanese uses adverbs and verb phrases that emphasize continuity, single attempts, or doing everything together.
To do something from start to finish without pausing or breaking.
Adverb meaning 'in one breath' or 'without stopping'. Commonly used for drinking, reading, or completing tasks in a single stretch.
He drank the beer in one go.
I read the novel in one go.
Noun/suru-verb meaning 'reading in one sitting'. Often used for binge-reading manga or books.
I read this manga in one go.
Noun meaning 'chugging' or 'drinking in one go'. Often used for alcohol.
Chugging is dangerous.
To succeed or complete something on the first try, without multiple attempts.
Means 'in one shot' or 'on the first try'. Used for passing exams, fixing things, or achieving something instantly.
I passed the exam in one go.
I solved this problem in one go.
Literally 'at one time'. Can mean doing multiple things simultaneously or all at once, but also implies a single attempt when context allows.
Formal/literary adverb meaning 'in one stroke' or 'at a single blow'. Used for sweeping actions or decisive moves.
To handle multiple items or tasks collectively rather than separately.
Adverb meaning 'collectively' or 'in a batch'. Used when grouping things together to do them at once.
Please submit the documents in one go.
I did the shopping in one go.
Means 'in a lump sum' or 'all together'. Often used in business or payment contexts.
Please pay the fee in one go.
Casual variant of 一度に, meaning 'all at once'. Often used in spoken Japanese.
To perform a physical action smoothly without stopping or breaking the motion.
一気に focuses on continuity (without pausing), while 一発で focuses on succeeding in a single attempt. Use 一気に for actions like drinking or reading without stopping, and 一発で for passing a test or fixing something on the first try.
The phrase 'in one go' does not have a single direct equivalent. Translating it word-for-word (e.g., 一回で) often sounds unnatural. Choose the expression that matches the nuance: continuity, single attempt, or batching.
I finished the report in one go.
Can you carry all these boxes in one go?
一度に全部やろうとしないで。
Don't try to do everything in one go.
Solve the problems in one go.
I can't eat that much in one go.