一つ

Japanese JLPT N5 Vocabulary Japanese ★★★★★ 5/5 neutral ひとつhitotsu
Reading ひとつ
Romaji hitotsu
Kanji breakdown 一 (hito) — one; つ is a native counter suffix
Pronunciation /çi.to.tsɯ/

Meaning

One (thing). The native Japanese counter for one, used for general objects.

Part of the native Japanese counting system (ひとつ through とお). Used as a general-purpose counter when no specific counter word applies, or when counting abstract items. Works for objects, ideas, options, and more. Also used idiomatically in phrases like 一つお願いがあります (I have one favour to ask).

Examples

  1. ケーキを一つください。 One piece of cake, please.
  2. 一つ質問があります。 I have one question.
  3. かばんの中にりんごが一つあります。 There is one apple in the bag.

Usage Guide

Context: ordering, counting objects, requests

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From the native Japanese number ひと (one) combined with the counter suffix つ, which is the oldest Japanese counting system predating Chinese-derived numbers.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Related Phrases

一 One; 1. The most basic number in Japanese. 七 Seven; 7. A culturally significant number in Japan. 万 Ten thousand; 10,000. A fundamental large number unit unique to the Japanese counting system. 三 Three; 3. A number with cultural significance in Japan. 三つ Three (things). The native Japanese counter for three, used for general objects. 九 Nine; 9. The highest single digit, with two common readings. 二 Two; 2. A fundamental number used in counting and everyday contexts. 二つ Two (things). The native Japanese counter for two, used for general objects.
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