Japanese word

一息

Pronunciation

Romajihitoiki

Meaning

  • nounone breath

Example

この文を一息で読みます。ko no bun o hito iki de yo mi ma su

I read this sentence in one breath.

Illustration for 一息 (one breath)

More examples

発表の前に、一息入れて気持ちを落ち着けます。hap pyō no mae ni hito iki i re te ki mo chi o o chi tsu ke ma su

I take a short break before the presentation to calm myself.

Core concept

The word uses one breath as a small span of time, whether that span marks a rest or an uninterrupted action.

Common phrases

  • 一息入れるhito iki i re ru

    take a short break

  • 一息つくhito iki tsu ku

    take a short break

  • 一息でhito iki de

    in one breath

Similar words

一呼吸ichikokyū: A single breath used as a brief pause or measure of time.
一休みhitoyasumi: A short period set aside for rest or pause.
小休止shōkyūshi: A brief pause in an activity or process.

Definition in Japanese

呼吸を一回する間。転じて、仕事や動作を少し休む短い時間、または途中で止まらずに行うひとまとまり。ko kyū o ichi kai su ru aida ten ji te shi goto ya dō sa o suko shi yasu mu mijika i ji kan ma ta wa to chū de to ma ra zu ni okona u hi to ma to ma ri

Word origin

一息 (hitoiki, "one breath") is formed from 一 (hito, "one") and 息 (iki, "breath"), with the breath serving as the basis for its extended meanings.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 一息入れる (hitoiki ireru, "put in one breath") describes taking a short break during work or another ongoing activity.

Other meanings

  • short breaknoun
  • one stretchnoun

Word lists with this word