1 in Cantonese = 一 (yat¹)

The number 1 in Cantonese is 一 (yat) pronounced "yut" with a high level tone (tone 1).

Quick Answer

Pronunciation

Yat (一) with tone 1:

Step by step:

1. Say "yut" (rhymes with "put" but starts with "y")
2. Keep pitch high and level throughout (tone 1)
3. High flat tone - steady high pitch
4. The final "t" is an unreleased stop (glottal ending)

Cantonese tone 1:

• High level tone (55)
• Keep voice at high pitch
• Don't let it rise or fall
• Like singing a high note steadily

The final "t":

• Unreleased/stopped consonant
• Cut off abruptly
• Don't release air
• Common in Cantonese with -p, -t, -k endings

Common mistakes:

• Not keeping tone high enough
• Releasing the final "t" (should be stopped)
• Pronouncing it like Mandarin "yī" (which is different)

The Character 一

Character: 一

• Simplest character: one horizontal stroke
• Same in traditional and simplified
• Same character as Mandarin but different pronunciation

Practical Usage

Counting: When counting: 一、二、三、四、五... (yat¹, yi⁶, saam¹, sei³, ng⁵...)

Phone numbers:

• 1 = 一 (yat¹)
• Example: 5123 = ng⁵ yat¹ yi⁶ saam¹

Prices:

• HK$1 = 一蚊 (yat¹ man¹)
• $10 = 十蚊 (sap⁶ man¹)

Times:

• 1:00 = 一點 (yat¹ dim²)
• 1:15 = 一點十五分 (yat¹ dim² sap⁶ ng⁵ fan¹)

Dates:

• 1st = 一號 (yat¹ hou⁶)
• January = 一月 (yat¹ yut⁶)

Counters: Cantonese uses measure words/counters:

• 一個 (yat¹ go³) = one (general)
• 一本 (yat¹ bun²) = one book
• 一杯 (yat¹ bui¹) = one cup

Common Phrases

一齊 (yat¹ cai⁴): Together

一定 (yat¹ ding⁶): Definitely, certainly

一啲 (yat¹ di¹): A little bit, some

一樣 (yat¹ joeng⁶²): Same, alike

一陣 (yat¹ zan⁶): In a moment, later

第一 (dai⁶ yat¹): First, number one

唯一 (wai⁴ yat¹): Only one, sole

Tone Practice

Tone 1 (high level) examples:

• 一 (yat¹) = one
• 三 (saam¹) = three
• 詩 (si¹) = poem

Practice: Keep voice high and flat, like a sustained high note.

Colloquial vs Formal

Colloquial Cantonese: In casual speech, some variations exist but 一 (yat¹) is standard.

Measure words are mandatory: Unlike Mandarin, Cantonese always needs measure words with numbers:

• ✗ 一書 (incorrect)
• ✓ 一本書 (yat¹ bun² syu¹) = one book

Quick Takeaways

• 1 in Cantonese is 一 (yat¹)
• Tone 1: high level tone
• Pronounced "yut" with unreleased "t"
• Keep pitch high and steady
• Same character as Mandarin, different pronunciation
• Always use with measure words
• Final "t" is stopped, not released
• Jyutping: yat¹

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If you're in Hong Kong or Cantonese-speaking areas, TravelNum shows you how numbers are pronounced in Cantonese.