Definitions
(numeral)
one; 1
(adjective)
single; alone
(adjective)
whole; entire; all
(adverb)
as soon as
Etymology
A single horizontal stroke, representing the number one.
About
The character "一" began as a simple stroke denoting the concept of a single entity or the number one, with its form as a horizontal line remaining fundamentally unchanged. Etymologically, it functions as the primary numeral and a building block for other characters, often contributing a sense of singularity or base unit. Its core meaning of "one" gradually extended to convey ideas of sameness, entire wholes, and, in classical usage, adverbial senses such as "once" or "all". Structurally, it is an indivisible character with no constituent components in any modern orthographic system.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我有一个苹果。
这是一本好书。
他一天工作八小时。
我一下班就回家。
我一点也不累。
你一说话，我就知道是谁。
这个苹果比那个大一倍。
一旦你决定了，就不要改变主意。