一
Meanings
one; 1
The cardinal number one. Also used as a prefix in counting or numbering. Legal variants 壱, 弌, 壹 are used to prevent alteration.
Please count from one to ten.
Open to the first page.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', suffix
Used as a suffix or with の to mean the best or top in a category. Often in compounds like 日本一 (Japan's best).
He has the best grades in the class.
This shop's ramen is the most delicious in the world.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Indicates the first in order or rank. Often used with の.
The first finger is the thumb.
Choose the foremost candidate.
Refers to the start or origin of something. Often used in set phrases like 一からやり直す.
Let's start over from the beginning.
Hearing one thing, understand ten. (A wise person grasps the whole from a part.)
Used as a prefix before a noun to mean 'a single' or 'one of many'. Common in compounds like 一石二鳥.
I will give one example.
It's killing two birds with one stone.
bottom string (shamisen, etc.)
The first (lowest-pitched) string on a shamisen or similar instrument.
Replace the bottom string of the shamisen.
Usage patterns
- 〈場所〉で一番to be the best/number one in <place>
She is the best in the class.
- 一から〈動詞〉to do something starting from scratch
He built the company from scratch.
- 一に〈事〉、二に〈事〉firstly ...; secondly ... (listing priorities in order)
I think health comes first, money second.