一 is the kanji for 1. Learn its shape and use its different readings in words you can actually say.
The idea
一 has 1 stroke. Draw one horizontal stroke from left to right. Read the table aloud: the independent number is いち, but the reading changes with the word. For example, 一月 is いちがつ, while 一日 as a calendar date is ついたち.
| Japanese form | Meaning or situation |
|---|---|
| 一 | number: 1 |
| 一つ | general objects: 1 |
| 一人 | people: 1 |
| 一本 | long objects: 1 |
| 一時 | time: 1 o’clock |
| 一日 | day of the month: 1 |
| 一月 | month: January |
Examples
- 今は一時です。It is 1 o’clock now.
- りんごを一つ買います。I buy 1 apple.
- 店に一人います。There is 1 person in the shop.
- 今日は一日です。Today is the 1st of the month.
- 一月に旅行します。I travel in January.
- 鉛筆を一本使います。I use 1 pencil.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not guess every reading from the number alone: 一人 is ひとり and 一本 is いっぽん. Compare the shape of 一 with 二; check the source for stroke order. 一日 can also mean a whole day, read いちにち.
Try it yourself
Write the number 1 as a kanji.
Show answer or example answer
一
The number 1 is written 一; compare its shape with 二.
Write the reading of day 1 of the month in hiragana.
Show answer or example answer
ついたち
For the day of the month, 一日 is read ついたち; it is a complete date word.
Write the reading for 1 person in hiragana.
Show answer or example answer
ひとり
For people, 一人 is read ひとり; learn the counter as a whole.
Write the reading for 1 pencil in hiragana.
Show answer or example answer
いっぽん
For long objects, 一本 is read いっぽん; 本 is the counter used for pencils.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the number 1 as a kanji.
Write the reading of day 1 of the month in hiragana.
Write the reading for 1 person in hiragana.
Write the reading for 1 pencil in hiragana.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Write 一 three times in stroke order. Then say a date, a time and a quantity using this character; check each full reading in the table.