1.
one by one; one at a time; one each
Indicates doing or distributing something one unit at a time. The counter 個 is used for small, discrete objects.
お菓子を一個ずつ配る。
To hand out sweets one each.
卵を一個ずつ割って入れてください。
Please crack and add the eggs one at a time.
問題を一個ずつ片付けていけば、いつか全部終わる。
If you tackle the problems one by one, you'll eventually finish them all.
一個ずつ means 'one at a time' or 'one each,' using the versatile counter 個 for small, discrete objects.
PATTERN:
Part of the ～ずつ pattern, which attaches to a quantity to mean 'each' or 'at a time.' The same structure works with other counters:
- 一人ずつ (one person at a time)
- 一枚ずつ (one sheet at a time)
- 一本ずつ (one [long object] at a time)
- 少しずつ (little by little)
USAGE:
- Very common in everyday speech because 個 is a general-purpose counter for small objects
- Often used for distributing items: お菓子を一個ずつ配る (hand out sweets one each)
- Also used for doing things methodically: 問題を一個ずつ解く (solve problems one at a time)