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', representing the number one, has always been depicted by a single horizontal line, a form that visually signifies its meaning. Its etymology traces back to a pictographic origin where the stroke denoted a single object or unit, and over time, its application grew to convey ideas of wholeness, sameness, and the beginning of a sequence. This expansion in meaning allowed '一' to serve various grammatical roles in classical Chinese, from indicating a single instance to expressing unity, all while retaining its simple and unchanging graphical structure.
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。