ひとえに

ひ

と

え

に

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

adverb

wholly; entirely; solely

usually written using kana alone

Used to emphasize that something is due entirely to a particular cause or reason. Often followed by expressions like ～のおかげ (thanks to) or ～のせい (due to).

成せい功こうできたのは、ひとえに皆みな様さまのおかげです。
My success is entirely thanks to everyone.
この事じ故こはひとえに私わたしの不ふ注ちゅう意いのせいです。
This accident is solely due to my carelessness.

adverb

earnestly; intently; sincerely

usually written using kana alone

Expresses doing something with wholehearted dedication or sincerity. Often used in formal or written contexts, such as ひとえにお願い申し上げます (I sincerely request).

ひとえにご理り解かいのほど、よろしくお願ねがい申もうし上あげます。
I sincerely ask for your understanding.
彼かれはひとえに研けん究きゅうに打うち込こんでいる。
He is earnestly devoted to his research.

See all 10 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

ひとえに〈人ひと〉のおかげだto be entirely thanks to someone
この成せい功こうはひとえに皆みな様さまのおかげです。
This success is entirely thanks to everyone.
ひとえに〈事こと〉次し第だいだto depend solely on something
計けい画かくの成せい否ひはひとえに準じゅん備び次し第だいだ。
Whether the plan succeeds depends entirely on the preparation.
ひとえに〈事こと〉お願ねがい申もうし上あげますto sincerely request/beg for something (formal)
何卒なにとぞご容よう赦しゃのほど、ひとえにお願ねがい申もうし上あげます。
I sincerely beg your forgiveness.

Kanji

偏partial, side, left-side radical
一one, one radical (no.1)
重heavy, important, esteem

Related words

全まったくN3sense 1
全く means 'completely' or 'really' in a general sense, while ひとえに specifically points to one cause or one wholehearted effort behind a result.
もっぱらN1sense 1
専ら means 'exclusively' or 'mainly' about an activity or focus, whereas ひとえに stresses that a single cause or reason is wholly responsible for something.
一いっ心しんにN1sense 2
一心に describes doing something with single-minded concentration, while ひとえに can express similar wholehearted sincerity but is often used in formal, humble requests.
心こころからN3sense 2
心から means 'from the heart' and is used broadly for sincere feelings, while ひとえに is more formal and often appears in set phrases like ひとえにお願い申し上げます.

Written forms

ひとえにUsage94%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 偏に and 一重に are rare and may confuse readers.
偏ひとえにUsage6%
Rare kanji form; the character 偏 suggests 'leaning' or 'biased', which is not directly related to the adverb's meaning.
一ひと重えに
irregular kanji usage
Irregular kanji usage; 一重 normally means 'single layer', not the adverbial sense.

Etymology

Derived from 一重 (ひとえ, 'single layer'), with the adverbial particle に, suggesting 'in a single-minded manner' or 'solely'. The kanji 偏 is an ateji (phonetic) usage.