Japanese word

一気

Pronunciation

Romajiikki

Meaning

  • nounin one go

Example

本を一気に読みます。hon o ik ki ni yo mi ma su

I read the book in one go.

Illustration for 一気 (in one go)

More examples

忙しかったので、昼ご飯を一気に食べました。isoga shi ka tta no de hiru go han o ik ki ni ta be ma shi ta

I was busy, so I ate lunch in one go.

Core concept

Describes 一気 (ikki) as completing something in one uninterrupted flow rather than dividing it into smaller parts.

Common phrases

  • 一気に食べるik ki ni ta be ru

    eat in one go

  • 一気に読むik ki ni yo mu

    read in one go

  • 一気に飲むik ki ni no mu

    drink in one go

Similar words

一挙ikkyo: Doing or achieving something all at once in a single action.
一息hitoiki: Finishing an activity in one continuous effort before taking a break.

Definition in Japanese

休みや中断をはさまず、物事を一度に行うこと。yasu mi ya chū dan o ha sa ma zu mono goto o ichi do ni okona u ko to

Word origin

一気 (ikki) combines 一 (ichi, "one") and 気 (ki, "breath or energy"), expressing action carried through in a single flow.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 一気に (ikki ni) can describe finishing a drink in one gulp, while the same pattern also describes reading or doing something without a break.

Other meanings

  • in one gulpnoun

Word lists with this word