一

yī
HSK 1
#2 most
frequent character
one, 1, single, a (article)
noun
adjective
Measure Word

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

一 is a single horizontal line, the picture for 'one'. From 'one' grew the senses 'whole' and 'once; as soon as'.

Drawn as: single horizontal line

一 as a component in other characters

picture11 characters
三二旦卅闩戛佥丄卌巿畺
empty12 characters
天本正元夫百千灭末曰丛吏

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Example Sentences

我有一个苹果。
wǒyǒu yígè píngguǒ 。
I have one apple.
这是第一本书。
zhè shì dì yīběnshū 。
This is the first book.
他只有一个朋友。
tā zhǐyǒu yígè péngyǒu 。
He only has one friend.

Words with similar meanings

单个dāngè
single
This term emphasizes the aspect of being one as an individual or separate unit.
唯一wéiyī
only
This term conveys the idea of being the only one of its kind.

Words Starting With 一

一起yī qǐ
in the same place; together; with; altogether (in total)
一会儿yī huì r
a while
一共yī gòng
altogether
一定yī dìng
surely; certainly; necessarily; fixed; a certain (extent etc); given; particular; must
一样yī yàng
same; like; equal to; the same as; just like

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