一言
The Japanese phrase for "one word" is 一言.
While 一言 can mean a single literal word, it often refers more broadly to a brief remark or a short comment. You can use the phrase 一言で言うと to mean "to put it in a word" or "in short" when introducing a concise explanation. To say "to say one word" politely, you would say hitokoto o iimasu.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 一言 is composed of the characters 一 (one) and 言 (word/say).
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to express the idea of "not even one word," you can use the form 一言も.
Did you know?
- The character 言 in 一言 is visually composed of a mouth and lines representing words coming out of it.
- When someone asks for 一言 during a wedding or funeral speech, they are not asking for a single word but for a very brief, poignant tribute.
- The word 一言 is derived from a Middle Chinese compound meaning 'one' and 'speech'.
Examples in context
- 一言で答えました。I answered in one word.This sentence shows how to use 一言 to describe answering with a single word.Tatoeba #11015710 by small_snow, translation #10660455 by AlanF_US
- 彼はいつも一言多い。He always says one word too many.This sentence uses 一言 to describe someone saying one word too many.Tatoeba #114586 by bunbuku, translation #289085 by CK
- 彼はフランス語を一言も話せないが、その反面英語をネイティブ並に話す。He can't say one word of French, but then again he speaks English like a native.This sentence demonstrates using 一言も to express that someone cannot speak even one word of a language.Tatoeba #1169081 by mookeee, translation #460293 by jeanne
Example conversation
Misaki is asking Kenta for his opinion on her new drawing.
- 美咲 Misakiこの絵について、一言感想を教えて。Kono e ni tsuite, hitokoto kansō o oshiete.Please give me a word of feedback on this drawing.
- 健太 Kenta最高に素晴らしいと思うよ！Saikō ni subarashii to omou yo!I think it's absolutely wonderful!
- 美咲 Misaki本当に？嬉しいな。Hontō ni? Ureshii na.Really? I'm so happy.
- 健太 Kenta本当だよ。自信を持っていいよ。Hontō da yo. Jishin o motte ii yo.I mean it. You should be confident.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 一言, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
