一粒(ひとつぶ)

ひとつぶ
noun
one grain; one drop; a single small round thing
1. one grain; one drop; a single small round item
A single instance of something small and roundish: a grain of rice, a drop of water, a single berry, a pill, etc.
薬(くすり)を一粒(ひとつぶ)飲(の)んだ。
I took one pill.
涙(なみだ)が一粒(ひとつぶ)頬(ほお)を伝(つた)った。
A single tear ran down her cheek.
大切(たいせつ)に育(そだ)てた米(こめ)は、一粒(ひとつぶ)も無駄(むだ)にしたくない。
I don't want to waste even a single grain of the carefully cultivated rice.

一(ひと) (one) + 粒(つぶ) (grain, drop, particle). The counter 粒(つぶ) applies to small, roundish items.

COUNTING WITH 粒(つぶ):

  • 一粒(ひとつぶ): one grain
  • 二粒(ふたつぶ): two grains
  • 三粒(みつぶ): three grains
  • 何粒(なんつぶ): how many grains

TYPICAL USES:

  • 米(こめ)一粒(ひとつぶ): a grain of rice
  • 薬(くすり)一粒(ひとつぶ): one pill, one tablet
  • 雨粒(あまつぶ)一粒(ひとつぶ): a single raindrop
  • 真珠(しんじゅ)一粒(ひとつぶ): a single pearl
  • ぶどう一粒(ひとつぶ): a single grape (one berry from a bunch)

FIGURATIVE: 一粒(ひとつぶ)も 無駄(むだ)にしない ('not waste a single grain') is a common expression about cherishing every bit.

SIMILAR COUNTERS:

  • 一房(ひとふさ): a cluster — used for the whole bunch that contains many 粒(つぶ)
  • 一滴(いってき): a drop — specifically for liquid
general
Added 2026.5.15 13:12
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