Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

一筆書く (ひとふでかく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

一ひと筆ふで書かく

also: いっぴつかく

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

write a few lines; drop a line; write a note

Used when writing a short informal message or letter to someone. Often implies a brief, casual communication.

近きん況きょうを一ひと筆ふで書かいて送おくった。
I dropped a line to let them know how I've been.
お礼れいの一ひと筆ふでを書かくのを忘わすれていた

。

I forgot to write a short thank-you note.

Written forms

一筆書く
- ひとふでかく
  Standard kanji spelling; the reading ひとふでかく is the most common.
- いっぴつかく
  Alternate reading; less common but still used.
いっぴつかく

Kanji

一one, one radical (no.1)
筆writing brush, writing, painting brush
書write

Similar words

手て紙がみを書かく
手紙を書く is the general term for writing a letter, while 一筆書く specifically implies a brief, informal note or a few lines.

Etymology

Compound of 一筆 (one stroke of the brush, a brief note) and 書く (to write). The phrase literally means 'to write a single stroke', metaphorically extended to writing a short message.