HSK 1

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

一个人。
Yī gè rén.
One person.
我有一。
Wǒ yǒu yī.
I have one.
这是一。
Zhè shì yī.
This is one.
我有一个兄弟。
Wǒ yǒu yí gè xiōngdì.
I have one brother.
她试了一次就成功了。
Tā shìle yí cì jiù chénggōngle.
She tried once and succeeded.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 一 as a single horizontal line, visually representing the number one—simple and foundational, just like counting starts with one.

📝 Usage Notes

Used in both formal and informal contexts, in spoken and written Chinese, for counting, listing, or indicating singularity. It is essential in dates, times, and sequences, such as in the example sentence for 'next Monday.'

📖 Grammar Points

Used as a numeral before nouns with measure words (e.g., 一个人 - one person). It can change tone to 'yì' or 'yí' in tone sandhi, such as before a fourth tone (e.g., 一个 yí gè) or between repeated verbs (e.g., 看一看 kàn yí kàn, meaning 'take a look').

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, 一 symbolizes unity, beginnings, and simplicity, often used in idioms like 一心一意 (yī xīn yī yì, wholeheartedly). It is considered auspicious in some contexts, representing a fresh start.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to other numerals like 二 (èr, two) or 三 (sān, three), 一 specifically denotes the singular quantity 'one.' It differs from 壹 (yī), the formal or financial character for 'one,' which is used in documents to prevent fraud.

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