(いっつう)

いっつう
noun
one letter; one document (counter)
communication
1. one letter; one document; one copy
A counter expression for one letter, document, email, or written communication. The counter (つう) is used for letters, emails, and documents.
手紙(てがみ)一通(いっつう)(とど)いた
One letter arrived.
A single email changed my life.
Please keep one copy each of the contract.

Uses the counter (つう), which counts letters, emails, documents, and written communications. The reading of (いっ) changes to いっ before つ due to sound change (促音便(そくおんびん)).

Counting patterns

  • 一通(いっつう): one letter/document
  • 二通(につう): two
  • 三通(さんつう): three
  • 四通(よんつう): four
  • 五通(ごつう): five
  • 何通(なんつう): how many letters/documents?

Note: 一通(ひととお)り is a different word with a different reading, meaning "generally; the whole thing; one way." Do not confuse the two.

Common collocations