一(ひと)つ

ひとつ
noun
one (thing)
number
1. one (thing)
The number one when counting things using native Japanese numbers.
りんごを一(ひと)つください。
One apple, please.
一(ひと)つだけ残(のこ)っています。
Only one is left.
一(ひと)つ質問(しつもん)があります。
I have one question.
一(ひと)つも残(のこ)っていない。
Not even one is left.
一(ひと)つずつ確認(かくにん)する。
I'll check them one by one.
一(ひと)つ上(うえ)の学年(がくねん)だ。
They're one grade above.
一(ひと)つお願(ねが)いがあります。
I have one favor to ask.
2. one year old
Age of one year (informal counting).
子供(こども)は一(ひと)つです。
The child is one year old.
娘(むすめ)が一(ひと)つになった。
My daughter turned one.
まだ一(ひと)つなのに話(はな)せる。
They can talk even though they're only one.
赤(あか)ちゃんが一(ひと)つになったので、お祝(いわ)いをした。
The baby turned one, so we had a celebration.
うちの子(こ)は一(ひと)つの時(とき)に初(はじ)めて歩(ある)いた。
Our child took their first steps at age one.

一(ひと)つ is the native Japanese number 'one,' used for counting general items and as part of many set expressions.

Counting patterns

Common patterns

Usage

  • This native counting system is used for general items when no specific counter applies, or when the counter is unknown
  • Also used informally for age one, as in 子供(こども)が一(ひと)つになった (the child turned one); this native system is used for young children's ages up to about nine

Related Words

Related: つ (general native counter (1-9))
Related: 五(いつ)つ (five (things))
Related: 二(ふた)つ (two (things))
basic
Added 2026.1.11 19:10 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
02500/02948_hitotsu