Japanese Conversation · Level 50
90 words
Japanese word
一杯
Pronunciation
Romajiippai
Meaning
- nouna cupful, one bowl of
Example
お茶を一杯飲みます。o cha o ip pai no mi ma su
I drink a cupful of tea.
More examples
ご飯を一杯食べます。go han o ip pai ta be ma su
I eat one bowl of rice.
コーヒーを一杯お願いします。kō hī o ip pai o nega i shi ma su
A cup of coffee, please.
Core concept
Marks one full container of a drink or similar liquid, while the kind of container comes from the context.
Common phrases
一杯の水ip pai no mizu
a cupful of water
コーヒーを一杯kō hī o ip pai
a cupful of coffee
Definition in Japanese
飲み物などが容器一つに入った分量。no mi mono na do ga yō ki hito tsu ni hai tta bun ryō
Word origin
一杯 (ippai, "a cupful") uses 一 (ichi, "one") before the counter 杯 (hai, "cupful"), with regular sound change producing the pronunciation ippai.
Usage tips
- When ordering a drink, 一杯 (ippai) often means one serving, even when the speaker does not name the cup, bowl, or glass.
Other meanings
- a bowlfulnoun
- a glassfulnoun
Related words
- 一杯分ippaibunone cupfulnoun