の一つ
no hitotsu
The English phrase "one of" is expressed in Japanese as の一つ (no hitotsu).
の一つ is used to refer to a single person or thing from a larger group.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is formed by attaching the particle の to the noun it modifies, followed by hitotsu (one).
How do you pronounce it?
no hitotsu
Did you know?
- Using の一つ to describe a person is grammatically possible but can sound dehumanizing, as it treats the person as a mere object.
- In Japanese, the word 'hitotsu' is part of a complex system of counters. If you are referring to 'one of' a group of long, thin objects like pens, you would swap 一つ for 一本 (ippon).
- While の一つ is used for objects, referring to 'one of' a group of people requires the counter 一人 (hitori) instead of 一つ (hitotsu).
Examples in context
- 胃は内臓の一つである。The stomach is one of the internal organs.This sentence is useful for showing how to use の一つ to identify an organ among a group.Tatoeba #190992 by bunbuku, translation #28152 by CK
- スケートは趣味の一つだ。Skating is one of my hobbies.This sentence is useful for expressing a hobby using の一つ.Tatoeba #214742 by bunbuku, translation #52036 by CK
- スキーも趣味の一つです。Skiing is one of my hobbies.Tatoeba #11614275 by small_snow, translation #9794520 by DJ_Saidez
- 私（わたし）はチームの一人ですI am one of the team members.
- 私はそのグループの中の一人ですI am one of the people in that group.
- 50 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are talking about their favorite books.
- 蓮 Renこれが僕の好きな本の一つです。Kore ga boku no suki na hon no hitotsu desu.This is one of my favorite books.
- 結衣 Yuiいい本ですね。誰が書いたんですか？Ii hon desu ne. Dare ga kaita n desu ka?It looks like a good book. Who wrote it?
- 蓮 Ren有名な作家の一人ですよ。Yūmei na sakka no hitori desu yo.He is one of the famous authors.
- 結衣 Yui私も読んでみたいです。Watashi mo yonde mitai desu.I want to try reading it too.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
