一 筋(ひとすじ)

ひとすじ

noun / adjective (な)

one line; single-minded

1. one line, one streak, one strand

A single thin line or strand of something, such as light, smoke, tears, or hair.

A single tear rolled down.

A single ray of light shone into the darkness.

A single trail of smoke was rising from the chimney.

2. single-minded, devoted, wholehearted

Complete devotion to one path, pursuit, or person without wavering. Often used to describe lifelong dedication.

I've devoted my whole life to cooking.

He is devoted solely to judo and has no interest in other sports.

祖父(そふ)は五十年間(ごじゅうねんかん)、大工(だいく)一筋(ひとすじ)でやってきた職人(しょくにん)だ。

My grandfather is a craftsman who has been devoted to carpentry for fifty years.

一筋(ひとすじ) has two distinct uses: as a counter-like noun for thin line-shaped things, and as an expression of single-minded devotion.

Sense 1:

Sense 2:

In sense 2, 一筋(ひとすじ) often follows the noun it modifies directly: 野球(やきゅう)一筋(ひとすじ) (devoted to baseball)
一筋縄(ひとすじなわ)ではいかない is a set expression meaning "not straightforward" or "not easy to deal with"

general

Added 2026.2.15 9:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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