What does 一 mean in Chinese?

一 (yī) means "one; 1; single; a (article); as soon as; entire; whole; all; throughout; "one" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 1); also pr. [yao1] for greater clarity when spelling out numbers digit by digit" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 一?

一 is pronounced "yī" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 1.

What HSK level is 一?

一 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 一?

Common words with 一 include 一下儿 (erhua variant of 一下[yi1 xia4]), 一下 ((used after a verb) give it a go), 一下子 (in a short while), 一一 (one by one), 一世 (generation).

How do you write 一?

一 has 1 strokes. Its radical is 一. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

一 (yī), one

一

yī

one; 1; single; a (article)

HSK 11 strokes

Character Breakdown

A single horizontal stroke means one

Radical: 一 (no. 1)Strokes: 1

View stroke order →

Definitions

one
1
single
a (article)
as soon as
entire
whole
all
throughout
"one" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 1)
also pr. [yao1] for greater clarity when spelling out numbers digit by digit

Example Sentences

我有一个苹果。

Wǒ yǒu yī gè píngguǒ

I have one apple

Words Containing 一

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
一下儿	yī xià r	erhua variant of 一下[yi1 xia4]
一下	yī xià	(used after a verb) give it a go	HSK 1
一下子	yī xià zi	in a short while
一一	yī yī	one by one	HSK 6
一世

→

㔾(jié)· "seal" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 26)

→

三框栏(sān kuàng lán)· name of radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 22)

→

三点水(sān diǎn shuǐ)· name of "water" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 85)

→

Grammar Notes

Basic Measure Words (个, 本, 杯)HSK 1

Number / 这 / 那 + Measure Word + Noun

Completed Action with 了HSK 1

Subject + Verb + 了 + Object

Duration ComplementHSK 2

Subject + Verb + 了 + Duration (+ Object)

Basic Resultative ComplementsHSK 2

Subject + Verb + Resultative Complement (+ Object)

Directional 来/去HSK 2

Verb + Direction Verb + 来/去

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 1
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

一: HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 一 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

一