一


The Chinese wrote their first three numbers rotated 90 degrees from what the Romans did. Obviously this kanji is one, but in writing the Hindu-Arabic numeral 1 is also often used.

on readings:
  • ichi
  • itsu
kun readings:
  • hito
examples:
第一 dai-ichi No. 1, first, best, main
第一条 dai-ichijō Article 1
第一課 dai-ikka lesson 1
第一巻 dai-ikkan volume one
一切れ hitokire slice, piece
一人 hitori one person
一束 hitotaba a bundle
一番 ichiban first
一段 ichidan step; single-stage
一度 ichido once, one degree (of temperature)
一日 ichijitsu 1 day
一汁一菜 ichiju issai one soup, one side (and rice)
一日 ichinichi 1 day
一日中 ichinichijū all day long
一日置き ichinichioki every other day
一億 ichioku 100 million
一流 ichiryū first class
一ヶ月 ikkagetsu one month
一回 ikkai once
一階 ikkai first floor
一介の ikkai no mere, only
一環 ikkan link, part
一泊 ippaku overnight stay
一匹 ippiki one (small animal)
一本 ippon one (cylindrical object)
一分 ippun one minute
一緒 issho together
一升 isshō 1.8 liters
一生 isshō one's whole life
一升瓶 isshōbin 1.8 liter bottle
一生懸命 isshōkenmei as hard as one can
一種 isshu kind, sort
一束 issoku a bundle
一頭 ittō one (large animals)
一等 ittō first class
間一髪 kan-ippatsu by a hairsbreadth
一昨日 ototoi the day before yesterday
一昨年 ototoshi the year before last
身心一如 shinshin ichinyo mind and body as one
単一 tan'itsu single, simple, individual
手荷物一時預かり tenimotsu ichiji azukari temporary handbaggage storage
手荷物一時預かり所 tenimotsu ichiji azukarijo place for temporary handbaggage storage
手荷物一時預かり所 tenimotsu ichiji azukarisho place for temporary handbaggage storage
一日 tsuitachi 1st day (of the month)

links:
Dai-ichi
Wiktionary
Japanese homepage | top

Last Alteration Performed: 8 October 2026 by Bradley James Wogsland.