Japanese symbol for “one”
一つ
ひとつ
Romaji: hitotsu
one
In Japanese, one is 一つ, read ひとつ (hitotsu).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- num one
- n for one thing
- n only
- n (not) even
- adv, n just (e.g. "just try it")
- adj-no some kind of; one type of
Written forms: 一つ、１つ、一. Readings: ひとつ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “one”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 一方 | いっぽう ippou | one (esp. of two); the other; one way |
| 一 | いち ichi | one; 1 |
| 一 | ひと hito | one |
| 他方 | たほう tahou | one (esp. of two); the other; one way |
| 一 | イー ii | one |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 一緒 | いっしょ issho | (doing) together |
| 一番 | いちばん ichiban | number one; first; first place |
| 一般 | いっぱん ippan | general; universal |
| 一部 | いちぶ ichibu | one part; one portion; one section |
| 一方 | いっぽう ippou | one (esp. of two); the other; one way |
See also: Chinese symbol for “one”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.