Translation guide
How to say 'one person' in Japanese, covering counting people, referring to a single individual, and expressions for 'alone' or 'by oneself'.
Use the counter for people: 一人 (hitori). This is the standard way to say 'one person' when counting or specifying the number of people.
Express doing something alone or being alone, using 一人で (hitori de) or 独りで (hitori de).
Refer to 'one person' as a single individual, often in contrast to a group or when specifying a role.
Formal counter for one person, used in official documents, registers, or announcements.
Emphasize that there is only a single person, using 一人だけ (hitori dake) or たった一人 (tatta hitori).
Means 'only one person'. だけ adds the meaning of 'only' or 'just'.
The counter 一つ (hitotsu) is for inanimate objects. Using it for people is incorrect. Always use 一人 (hitori) for one person.
一人 is the standard way to write 'one person' or 'alone'. 独り uses a kanji that specifically means 'alone' and can carry a nuance of solitude or loneliness. In most everyday situations, 一人 is preferred.
I am alone.
I watched a movie by myself.
He lives alone.
Kanji form emphasizing solitude or loneliness. Often used in literary or emotional contexts.
A night alone is long.
One guest, please come this way.
Literally 'one human being', used to emphasize the individual as a person, often in philosophical or reflective contexts.
One should be respected as an individual human being.
Only one person came to the party.
Emphatic 'only one person', often with a nuance of loneliness or scarcity.
Fight all alone.
Can I make a reservation for one person?