唯一
yuiitsu[jɯ̟iːt͡sɨ]
The English phrase 'only one' is expressed in Japanese as 唯一 (yuiitsu).
唯一 is used to describe something that is the sole example of its kind. It is often used for emphasis to highlight that there are no other instances, survivors or examples of a specific thing.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 唯一 is composed of 唯 (meaning only or solely) and 一 (meaning one).
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to use 唯一 as an adjective to modify a noun, you must add the particle の, resulting in the form 唯一の. Additionally, placing the particle だけ after a noun indicates 'only' or 'just' for that specific subject.
How do you pronounce it?
yuiitsu
Did you know?
- While 唯一 describes being the sole instance of something, the phrase 唯一無二 adds 'none' and 'two' to mean 'one and only' or 'irreplaceable'. This four-character idiom is common in art and high-end craftsmanship to describe a unique masterpiece.
- The word 唯一 is a loanword from Classical Chinese and carries a much more formal weight than the everyday word for 'only', だけ.
- To describe an 'only child', Japanese speakers use the term 一人っ子 instead of 唯一 to distinguish a biological status from a conceptual rarity.
Examples in context
- 私はあれをやった唯一の人間だ。I'm the only one who does that.This sentence shows how to use 唯一 to describe being the only person to perform an action.Tatoeba #13428372 by demiurgastel, translation #6706156 by CK
- それをしなかった唯一の人間がトムだ。The only one who didn't do that was Tom.This sentence uses 唯一 to identify the single person who did not perform an action.Tatoeba #8218446 by Tanikaz, translation #6341395 by CK
- 彼女はその墜落事故の唯一の生存者であった。She was the only one to survive the crash.This sentence demonstrates the use of 唯一 to describe a sole survivor.Tatoeba #92344 by bunbuku, translation #311367 by CK
- 会議にはたった一人の招待客がいました。There was only one invited guest at the meeting.
- 彼女は唯一の家族です。She is the only family I have.
- その映画は私一人だけが見た。I was the only one who watched that movie.
- 遊園地に行くのはわたしだけですか？Am I the only one going to the amusement park?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are talking about a rare book in a library.
- 蓮 Renこれは世界に唯一の本だよ。Kore wa sekai ni yuiitsu no hon dayo.This is the only copy of this book in the world.
- 美咲 Misaki本当に？すごい価値があるね。Hontō ni? Sugoi kachi ga aru ne.Really? It must be very valuable.
- 蓮 Renうん、唯一の原本なんだ。Un, yuiitsu no genpon nanda.Yeah, it's the only original manuscript.
- 美咲 Misaki大切に扱わないといけないね。Taisetsu ni atsukawanai to ikenai ne.We have to handle it with great care.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 唯一, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
