一口(ひとくち)

ひとくち
noun
one bite, one sip, in a word
1. one bite, one sip, one mouthful
A single bite of food or a single sip of a drink.
一口(ひとくち)もらっていい？
Can I have a bite?
ケーキを一口(ひとくち)食(た)べてみた。
I tried one bite of the cake.
冷(つめ)たいお茶(ちゃ)を一口(ひとくち)飲(の)んで、ほっとした。
I took a sip of cold tea and felt relieved.
2. in a word, briefly
Used to express summarizing something concisely, often in the pattern 一口に言う (to put it in a word).
一口(ひとくち)に言(い)えない。
I can't explain it in a word.
ラーメンと一口(ひとくち)に言(い)っても、種類(しゅるい)はさまざまだ。
Even though we say 'ramen' as one word, there are many different types.
日本(にほん)の文化(ぶんか)は一口(ひとくち)では説明(せつめい)できないほど奥(おく)が深(ふか)い。
Japanese culture is too deep to explain in just a few words.

一口(ひとくち) has two main uses: as a literal quantity (one bite/sip) and as an abstract expression meaning "in a word" or "briefly."

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 一口(ひとくち)食(た)べる: to take one bite
  • 一口(ひとくち)飲(の)む: to take one sip
  • 一口(ひとくち)に言(い)う: to put it in a word
  • 一口(ひとくち)では言(い)えない: can't explain briefly

RELATED COUNTERS:

  • 二口(ふたくち): two bites/sips
  • 一口(ひとくち)サイズ: bite-sized
general
Added 2026.2.8 6:20
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