もう一つ
mō hitotsu
The English phrase 'another' can be translated into Japanese as もう一つ (mō hitotsu). Wiktionary also lists もう (mō).
Meaning: one more, in addition to a former number (det)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| もう一つ | mō hitotsu | |
| もう | mō | [mo̞ː] (narrow) |
The term is used to express 'one more' or 'in addition to a former number'.
What does it mean word for word?
もう一つ is composed of もう, meaning 'more' or 'another' and hitotsu, meaning 'one thing'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used with a number or a counter, もう functions to mean 'another' or 'additional'. For example, placing もう before a counter indicates an additional amount of that unit, such as in もう１杯 (another cup).
How do you pronounce it?
mō hitotsu
Did you know?
- In Japanese, adding もう to a sentence can express a feeling of frustration or 'enough is enough'. For example, もういい！ can mean 'I have had enough' rather than 'another is fine'.
- The word もう was originally spelled as まう in historical kana orthography. It underwent a phonetic shift over centuries from the 'au' sound to the modern 'o' sound.
- While もう means 'another' or 'more', it also means 'already' when used with a completed action. The context determines if you are asking for one more of something or stating that something has already happened.
Examples in context
- もう５分待とう。I'll wait another five minutes.This sentence is useful for seeing how もう works with a number of minutes.Tatoeba #194515 by bunbuku, translation #31688 by CK
- もう食べれないよ。I could not eat another bite.This sentence shows how もう can be used to express a limit regarding eating.Tatoeba #194061 by bunbuku, translation #31230 by jakov
- もう１杯召し上がれ。Have another cup.This sentence demonstrates using もう before a counter for a cup.Tatoeba #194538 by small_snow, translation #31711 by CM
- 別のオプションを試してみてください。Please try another option.
- またもう一個ビールを飲もう！Let's have another beer!
- このゲームをもっかいやろう！Let's play this game again!
- 私はもう一つの本を読みたいです。I want to read another book.
- 別の方法を考えましょう。Let's think of another method.
- もう一個話したいことがあります。I have something else I want to talk about.
- もっかい遊んでください！Please play again!
- 157 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a bakery shop.
- 陽太 Yotaもう一つ、パンをください。mou hitotsu, pan o kudasai.Please give me another bread.
- 結衣 Yuiはい、どうぞ。hai, douzo.Yes, here you go.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとうございます。arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
- 結衣 Yuiまたお待ちしています。mata omachi shite imasu.We look forward to seeing you again.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “another” translations and entries もう, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries もう, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
