1.
a breath
a breath; a rest; a breather
ちょっと一息つこう。
Let's take a quick breather.
仕事の合間に一息入れる。
To take a break between work.
コーヒーを飲んで一息ついた。
I had some coffee and took a breather.
2.
in one breath
in one breath; all at once; without stopping
彼はビールを一息に飲み干した。
He drank the beer in one gulp.
階段を一息に駆け上がった。
I ran up the stairs without stopping.
手紙を一息に書き上げた。
I wrote the letter in one sitting.
一息 literally means "one breath" and has two main uses.
Sense 1 (a rest/breather):
- 一息つく (to take a breather)
- 一息入れる (to take a break)
Sense 2 (in one breath/without stopping):
- 一息に (adverbial: in one go, without pause)
- 一息で (same meaning)
Related expressions:
- ひと休み (a short rest)
- 息抜き (taking a break, relaxation)