Japanese word

一匹

Pronunciation

Romajiippiki

Meaning

  • nounone

Example

猫が一匹います。neko ga ip piki i ma su

There is one cat.

Illustration for 一匹 (one)

More examples

水槽に一匹の魚を入れました。sui sō ni ip piki no sakana o i re ma shi ta

I put one fish in the tank.

Core concept

Marks a single living creature as one unit in a count that uses an animal counter.

Common phrases

  • 犬が一匹inu ga ip piki

    one dog

  • 一匹の猫ip piki no neko

    one cat

Similar words

一頭ichitō: It counts one large animal as a single unit.
一羽hitowa: It counts one bird as a single unit.
一尾ichibi: It counts one fish as a single unit.

Definition in Japanese

動物や魚などの小さい生き物一つを表す数量。dō butsu ya sakana na do no chii sa i i ki mono hito tsu o arawa su sū ryō

Word origin

In 一匹 (ippiki), 一 (ichi, "one") is followed by 匹 (hiki, "counter for small animals"); this combination changes hiki to piki and adds a doubled consonant.

Usage tips

  • The counter 匹 (hiki) also counts insects, fish, and other small creatures, so 一匹 (ippiki) applies beyond familiar pets such as cats and dogs.

Word lists with this word