一 — Kanji Reference

一 (one): 1 strokes, JLPT N5. On: イチ、イツ. Kun: ひと、ひと-つ.

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一

Property Value
Meaning one
Strokes 1
JLPT Level N5
On-reading (音読み) イチ、イツ
Kun-reading (訓読み) ひと、ひと-つ
Radical 一 (いち) U+4E00

Stroke Order

The kanji 一 consists of a single horizontal stroke.

  • Rule: Horizontal strokes are written from left to right.
  • Execution: Start with a slight downward pressure at the beginning, glide across to the right, and finish with a slight pause or "flick" to give the stroke a balanced, calligraphic appearance.

Radical Analysis

The kanji 一 is its own radical (部首: いち). It is a pictograph representing a single horizontal line, symbolizing the number one or a flat surface. In more complex kanji, it often serves as a base or a divider.

Mnemonic

Imagine a single, flat horizon line at sunrise. It is the one and only line you see before the sun begins to rise.

On-readings (音読み) with Examples

イチ (Ichi)

Word Reading Romaji English
一月 いちがつ ichigatsu January
一時 いちじ ichiji one o'clock
一番 いちばん ichiban number one / best
一回 いっかい ikkai one time

イツ (Itsu)

Word Reading Romaji English
一致 いっち icchi agreement / coincidence
一時的 いちじてき ichijiteki temporary
統一 とういつ touitsu unity / unification

Kun-readings (訓読み) with Examples

ひと (Hito)

Word Reading Romaji English
一人 ひとり hitori one person
一休み ひとやすみ hitoyasumi a short rest

ひと-つ (Hito-tsu)

Word Reading Romaji English
一つ ひとつ hitotsu one (thing)

JLPT N5 Words Using 一

Word Reading Romaji English JLPT
一 いち ichi one N5
一つ ひとつ hitotsu one (thing) N5
一人 ひとり hitori one person N5
一日 ついたち tsuitachi 1st of the month N5
一日 いちにち ichinichi one day N5
一月 いちがつ ichigatsu January N5
一時 いちじ ichiji one o'clock N5
一番 いちばん ichiban number one / best N5
一緒 いっしょ issho together N5
一般 いっぱん ippan general N4

Example Sentences

Japanese Reading Romaji English
一つください。 ひとつください。 Hitotsu kudasai. One, please.
一人は寂しいです。 ひとりはさびしいです。 Hitori wa sabishii desu. Being alone is lonely.
今日は一月一日です。 きょうはいちがつついたちです。 Kyou wa ichigatsu tsuitachi desu. Today is January 1st.
一番好きな食べ物は何ですか。 いちばんすきたべものはなんですか。 Ichiban suki na tabemono wa nan desu ka. What is your favorite food?
一緒に行きましょう。 いっしょにいきましょう。 Issho ni ikimashou. Let's go together.
一休みします。 ひとやすみします。 Hitoyasumi shimasu. I will take a short rest.

Common Confusion Pairs

Kanji Reading Meaning How to distinguish
一 いち one A single horizontal line.
二 に two Two horizontal lines; the top is shorter.
三 さん three Three horizontal lines; the middle is shortest.

Usage Frequency Note

一 is one of the most fundamental and frequently used kanji in the Japanese language. It appears in almost every newspaper, book, and conversation. Because it is the building block for numbers and many abstract concepts (like "unity" or "general"), it is essential for learners to master immediately.