一 (yī) means "one" with 1 strokes, radical 一 (one), HSK 1 on the new exam.
Pronunciation
Meaning
Primary: one
Etymology
Oracle-bone origin
The simplest character in the Chinese script: a single horizontal stroke representing the number one. Oracle bone and bronze inscriptions show exactly the same form, a plain horizontal line. It is one of the six original 指事 (zhǐshì) indicative characters, where the abstract concept is suggested directly by the mark itself.
Form evolution
Because the form is already minimal, 一 has remained almost unchanged from oracle bone script through to modern 楷书. The only variation is in stroke thickness and the slight tapering at each end introduced by brush calligraphy in the clerical and standard scripts. The seal script form is essentially identical, just rendered with the rounded line characteristic of 篆书.
How the meaning evolved
The original meaning of 'one' has been continuously preserved for over three thousand years. From this base, 一 extended to mean 'whole, entire' (一生 a whole life), 'same' (一样 the same), 'as soon as' (一到就 as soon as one arrives), and 'once' as an adverb of completed action. It is also the first of the Heavenly Stems and serves as a basic counter in many idiomatic constructions.
Cultural note
Because 一 is so easily altered by adding strokes, formal financial documents use the anti-fraud variant 壹 to prevent tampering. Calligraphers also treat the single horizontal of 一 as a foundational test of brush control, since every other character builds on the horizontal stroke.
Mnemonic
A single horizontal stroke means one
Basic info
| Pinyin | yī |
| Meanings | one |
| Stroke count | 1 strokes |
| Radical | 一 (#1: one) |
| New HSK exam | Recognise at HSK 1, write by hand at HSK 1-2 |
| Frequency | #20 most common |
Example sentences
Words containing 一
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | HSK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 一 | yī | one | HSK 1 |
| 一下 | yīxià | in a short while | HSK 1 |
| 一点儿 | yīdiǎnr | a little | HSK 1 |
| 一起 | yīqǐ | together | HSK 2 |
| 第一 | dìyī | first | |
| 一会儿 | yíhuìr | a while | HSK 2 |
| 一共 | yígòng | Altogether | HSK 3 |
| 一定 | yídìng | Certain | HSK 3 |
| 一样 | yíyàng | equally | HSK 3 |
| 一直 | yìzhí | always | HSK 3 |
| 一般 | yìbān | commonly | HSK 3 |
| 一边 | yìbiān | One side | HSK 3 |
| 一切 | yíqiè | everything | HSK 4 |
| 统一 | tǒngyī | Unified | HSK 5 |
| 万一 | wànyī | In case | HSK 5 |
| 一旦 | yídàn | once; in case | HSK 5 |
| 一致 | yízhì | Agreement | HSK 5 |
| 一再 | yízài | repeatedly | HSK 6 |
| 唯一 | wéiyī | Only | HSK 5 |
| 一辈子 | yíbèizi | A lifetime | HSK 6 |
Related characters
On the new HSK 1 exam
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.