Japanese Conversation · Level 45
90 words
Japanese word
一通
Pronunciation
Romajiittsū
Meaning
- nounone letter
Example
手紙を一通受け取りました。te gami o it tsū u ke to ri ma shi ta
I received one letter.
More examples
遠くに住む祖母へ一通の手紙を書きました。tō ku ni su mu so bo e it tsū no te gami o ka ki ma shi ta
I wrote one letter to my grandmother who lives far away.
Core concept
Counts a written message or document as one distinct item, regardless of how many pages it contains.
Common phrases
手紙を一通te gami o it tsū
one letter
一通の手紙it tsū no te gami
one letter
Similar words
一封ippū: One letter or document considered as a sealed item for sending.
Definition in Japanese
手紙や文書などを一つずつ数える際に用いる語。te gami ya bun sho na do o hito tsu zu tsu kazo e ru sai ni mochi i ru go
Word origin
一通 (ittsū) joins 一 (ichi, "one") to 通 (tsū, "pass through"), with 通 serving as the counter for one letter, document, or similar written message.
Usage tips
- The counter 一通 (ittsū) focuses on the message or document itself, while page-based counting uses a different counter such as 一枚 (ichimai).
Other meanings
- one copynoun