one breath; a single breath
Refers to a single act of breathing, or the very short time it takes. Often used in set phrases like 一息入れる (take a breather) or 一息に (in one breath).
He took a breath and then began to speak.
Let's take a breather and then continue.
A short rest or break from activity. Commonly used in the phrase 一息入れる.
I took a short break during work.
in one go; without stopping
Used adverbially as 一息に to mean doing something all at once, without pausing. Often with verbs like 読む, 飲む, 言う.
He downed the beer in one go.
I read the novel in one sitting.
a little more effort; a bit more push
Used in expressions like もう一息だ to mean 'just a little more effort needed' or 'almost there'. Implies being close to completion.
Just a little more and we're at the goal.
I was just a hair's breadth away from passing.
The work was done, so I took a short breather.
He drank the water in one go.
We're almost there—just a bit more work and it'll be finished.