一ひと足あし

ひ

と

あ

し

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

noun

one step; a single step

Refers to one footstep or the act of stepping once. In ordinary counting of steps, 一歩 is more common, while 一足 often has a slightly written or set-phrase feel.

雪ゆき道みちを一ひと足あし一ひと足あし確たしかめながら進すすんだ。
He moved along the snowy road, checking each step carefully.

2

noun

short distance

; a little way

Used for a small physical distance, often with expressions like ほんの一足 or あと一足. It can sound more idiomatic or literary than simply saying 少し.

宿やどから海うみまではほんの一ひと足あしだ。
The sea is only a short distance from the inn.

3

noun

a short time; a little earlier or later

Common in fixed expressions about a small difference in timing, such as 一足先に, 一足遅く, and 一足違い.

一ひと足あし先さきに失しつ礼れいします。
I'll excuse myself a little ahead of you.
一ひと足あし違ちがいで電でん車しゃに乗のれなかった。
I missed the train by just a moment.

Written forms

一ひと足あしUsage78%
Standard attested spelling for ひとあし. Be aware that 一足 can have other readings in other entries.
ひと足あしUsage19%
search-only kanji form
Mixed kana-kanji form as search-only; useful for lookup but not preferred as the display form.
ひとあしUsage3%

Kanji

一one, one radical (no.1)
足leg, foot, be sufficient

Similar words

一いっ歩ぽ
The more common general word for one step, both literally and figuratively. 一足 is more tied to footstep imagery and fixed expressions about short distance or timing.
少すこし
A plain adverb meaning 'a little' for amount, time, or degree. 一足 is narrower and often implies a step, a short distance, or a small timing difference.

Etymology

A transparent compound of 一 meaning 'one' and 足 meaning 'foot, leg, step.' The extended uses for a short distance or short time follow naturally from the idea of a small step.