一息(ひといき)

ひといき
noun, adverb
a breather; a breath
1. a breather; a breath
a breath; a rest; a breather
ちょっと一息(ひといき)つこう。
Let's take a quick breather.
仕事(しごと)の合間(あいま)に一息(ひといき)入(い)れる。
To take a break between work.
コーヒーを飲(の)んで一息(ひといき)ついた。
I had some coffee and took a breather.
2. in one breath
in one breath; all at once; without stopping
彼(かれ)はビールを一息(ひといき)に飲(の)み干(ほ)した。
He drank the beer in one gulp.
階段(かいだん)を一息(ひといき)に駆(か)け上(あ)がった。
I ran up the stairs without stopping.
手紙(てがみ)を一息(ひといき)に書(か)き上(あ)げた。
I wrote the letter in one sitting.

一息(ひといき) literally means "one breath" and has two distinct uses depending on context.

SENSE 1 — TAKING A BREAK:

  • 一息(ひといき)つく: to take a breather, to catch one's breath
  • 一息(ひといき)入(い)れる: to take a short break
  • 一息(ひといき)ついてから: after taking a breather

SENSE 2 — ALL AT ONCE:

  • 一息(ひといき)に: in one go, without stopping (adverbial)
  • 一息(ひといき)で: in a single breath (same meaning)
  • 一息(ひといき)に飲(の)む: to drink in one gulp

Similar words

Compound: 一(ひと) (one) + 息(いき) (breath)

Related Words

Synonym: ひと休(やす)み (a short rest)
Compare: 息抜(いきぬ)き (relaxation, taking a break)
general
Added 2026.1.21 12:50 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
07500/07781_hitoiki