一手に

• Reading: いってに
• Romaji: itte ni
• Kanji breakdown: 一 (ichi/it) — one; 手 (te) — hand
• Pronunciation: /it.te.ni/

Meaning

Single-handedly; alone. Taking on something entirely by oneself.

An adverb meaning to handle or take on a responsibility entirely by one person or entity. Most commonly appears in the pattern 一手に引き受ける (to take on single-handedly). Emphasises the concentration of responsibility or workload in one person's hands, often conveying admiration or concern about the burden.

Examples

1. 彼女がプロジェクトの管理を一手に引き受けた。 She took on the management of the project single-handedly.
2. 父は家計を一手に担ってきた。 My father has supported the household finances entirely on his own.
3. その会社は地域の物流を一手に握っている。 That company has a monopoly on the region's logistics.

Usage Guide

Context: business, responsibility, workload, admiration

Tone: respectful

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 一 (ichi/it, one) + 手 (te, hand) + に (ni, adverbial particle). Literally 'in one hand' — all concentrated in a single person's grasp.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal