一人
hitori[çi̥to̞ɾʲi]
The Japanese phrase for "one person" is 一人 (hitori).
一人 is the most common and straightforward term used to refer to a single human being. In specific contexts, such as official documents or professional settings, the term 一名 may be used instead to focus on a person's designation or status.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 一人 is composed of the number one (一) and the counter for people (人).
Which one should you use?
While 一人 is the standard term, 一名 is used in professional or official capacities when referring to a person's status or a specific count in a formal list.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can modify 一人 to change its meaning in a sentence. Adding the particle で creates the phrase 一人で, which means "alone" or "by oneself". To express "per person" or "for each person" in contexts like pricing, use the phrase 一人につき.
How do you pronounce it?
hitori
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word 一人前 (hitorimae), which literally means 'one person's portion' of food, is used as a metaphor for someone who has finally become a mature and independent adult.
- In its oldest form, the pronunciation of 一人 was actually hidari, which is a completely different sound from the modern 'hitori'.
- The word 一人 is pronounced hitori, but the number one is usually ichi. This is because hitori is a special native Japanese reading rather than the standard Chinese-derived reading.
Examples in context
- 一人いくらですか？How much is it for one person?This sentence is useful for asking about the price for one person using 一人.Tatoeba #3024513 by tommy_san, translation #3024527 by CK
- 一人じゃ手に負えないよ。It's too much for one person.This sentence shows the use of 一人 to describe a situation too large for a single person.Tatoeba #12170452 by small_snow, translation #10167414 by ddnktr
- 一人で運ぶには大きすぎる。This is too big for one person to carry.This sentence demonstrates how to use 一人 when describing a task that is too big for one person to carry.Tatoeba #12170450 by small_snow, translation #3315245 by CK
- 私は一人で旅行に行きます。I am going on a trip alone.
- 社内における候補者は一名となります。There is one candidate internally.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are entering a small restaurant.
- 結衣 Yuiいらっしゃいませ。何名様ですか？Irasshaimase. Nan-mei-sama desu ka?Welcome. How many people are in your party?
- 大翔 Hiroto一人です。Hitori desu.Just one person.
- 結衣 Yuiかしこまりました。こちらへどうぞ。Kashikomarimashita. Kochira e douzo.Certainly. Right this way, please.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 一人, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 一人, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
