Japanese word

一心

Pronunciation

Romajiisshin

Meaning

  • nounsingle-mindedly

Example

子どもたちは先生の話に一心に耳を傾けています。ko do mo ta chi wa sen sei no hanashi ni is shin ni mimi o katamu ke te i ma su

The children are listening intently to their teacher.

Illustration for 一心 (single-mindedly)

More examples

子どもたちは一心に先生の話を聞いています。ko do mo ta chi wa is shin ni sen sei no hanashi o ki i te i ma su

The children are listening intently to their teacher.

Core concept

It presents the heart and mind as devoted to one aim without being pulled toward other concerns.

Common phrases

  • 一心に聞くis shin ni ki ku

    listen intently

  • 一心に祈るis shin ni ino ru

    pray wholeheartedly

Similar words

専念sennen: A state of devoting one's time and effort to one task or purpose.
専心senshin: A state of directing the whole mind toward one purpose.
一途itto: A state of pursuing one aim without wavering.

Definition in Japanese

一つの目的に心をかたむけ、よそに気をそらさないこと。hito tsu no moku teki ni kokoro o ka ta mu ke yo so ni ki o so ra sa na i ko to

Word origin

一心 (isshin) is formed from 一 (ichi, "one") and 心 (shin, "heart; mind"), so its parts convey the idea of one heart or mind; the compound uses a doubled consonant.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 一心 (isshin) often appears in the pattern 一心に (isshin ni), which describes focused action rather than a general feeling of sincerity.

Other meanings

  • wholeheartedlynoun

Opposites

  • 二心nishindivided loyaltynoun

Word lists with this word