1.
one (thing)
The number one when counting things using native Japanese numbers.
りんごを一つください。
One apple, please.
一つだけ残っています。
Only one is left.
一つ質問があります。
I have one question.
一つも残っていない。
Not even one is left.
一つずつ確認する。
I'll check them one by one.
一つ上の学年だ。
They're one grade above.
一つお願いがあります。
I have one favor to ask.
2.
one year old
Age of one year (informal counting).
子供は一つです。
The child is one year old.
娘が一つになった。
My daughter turned one.
まだ一つなのに話せる。
They can talk even though they're only one.
赤ちゃんが一つになったので、お祝いをした。
The baby turned one, so we had a celebration.
うちの子は一つの時に初めて歩いた。
Our child took their first steps at age one.
一つ is the native Japanese number 'one,' used for counting general items and as part of many set expressions.
NATIVE COUNTING (1-10):
- 一つ, 二つ, 三つ, 四つ, 五つ
- 六つ, 七つ, 八つ, 九つ, 十
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 一つずつ: one by one
- 一つも + negative: not even one
- 一つ上: one level/year above
- 一つお願い: one request/favor
AGE:
Used informally for age one: 子供が一つになった (the child turned one). This native system (ひとつ, ふたつ...) is used for young children's ages up to about nine.
USAGE:
This native counting system is used for general items when no specific counter applies, or when the counter is unknown.