1 in Chinese = 一 (yī)

The number 1 in Chinese is pronounced "ee" (like the letter E, with a high level tone), written in pinyin as "yī", and the character is 一.

Quick Answer

Pronunciation

Yī (一) uses Mandarin's first tone—the "high level tone." Your voice stays high and flat throughout the sound.

Step by step:

1. Start at a high pitch (higher than your normal speaking voice)
2. Hold that pitch steady throughout
3. Say "ee" (like the letter E) while keeping your voice high and flat

Common mistakes:

• Letting your voice drop or waver (it should be perfectly level)
• Pronouncing it too short—hold the sound for a full beat
• Starting too low—the first tone needs to be noticeably high

The Character 一

The Chinese character 一 is the simplest of all Chinese characters, consisting of just one horizontal stroke. It literally looks like the number 1 written as a line.

In traditional Chinese, you'll see the same character 一. This character is identical in simplified and traditional forms.

Cultural Significance

The number 1 holds special meaning in Chinese culture and philosophy:

Unity and wholeness:

• 一 represents unity, the beginning, and wholeness in Chinese philosophy
• It's the starting point of all numbers and all things
• In Taoist philosophy, "道生一" (dào shēng yī) means "The Dao creates one"

Generally positive: While not as explicitly "lucky" as 8 or 9, one is viewed favorably as it represents:

• Being number one (first place)
• Unity and togetherness
• Simplicity and purity

Idioms about unity: Chinese has many idioms using 一 to express unity, such as 一心一意 (yī xīn yī yì) meaning "single-hearted devotion."

Practical Usage

Counting: When counting objects, 一 is used, but often with measure words: 一个 (yī gè) = one (general), 一本 (yī běn) = one book, 一杯 (yī bēi) = one cup.

Tone changes: 一 changes tone based on what follows it:

• Before 4th tone: 一 becomes 2nd tone (yí) → 一个 (yí gè)
• Before 1st, 2nd, or 3rd tone: 一 becomes 4th tone (yì) → 一天 (yì tiān)
• Alone or at the end: stays 1st tone (yī)

Prices:

• 1元 = 一元 (yī yuán) or 一块 (yī kuài)
• 100 = 一百 (yī bǎi)
• 1,000 = 一千 (yī qiān)

Times and dates:

• 1:00 = 一点 (yī diǎn)
• January = 一月 (yī yuè)
• Monday = 星期一 (xīng qī yī)
• The 1st day = 一号 (yī hào)
• Learn about zero (零) for complete numbers

Regional Variations

The pronunciation of 一 (yī) remains consistent across Mandarin-speaking regions, but other Chinese dialects have their own pronunciations:

Cantonese: jat¹ (sounds like "yut") Hokkien/Taiwanese: it Shanghainese: iq

If you're in mainland China, Taiwan, or Singapore speaking Mandarin, stick with yī.

Common Phrases with 1

一起 (yī qǐ): Together

一样 (yī yàng): The same

一直 (yī zhí): Always, continuously, straight

一点 (yī diǎn): A little bit

一下 (yī xià): Once, briefly (used to soften requests)

一定 (yī dìng): Definitely, certainly

第一 (dì yī): First, number one

Quick Takeaways

• 1 in Chinese is 一 (yī) with a high flat first tone
• It's pronounced like the letter "E" with a steady high pitch
• The character is the simplest in Chinese—just one horizontal stroke
• One represents unity and wholeness in Chinese culture
• The tone of 一 changes depending on what word follows it
• It's used with measure words when counting objects

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If you're in China and need to hear how one sounds in different contexts, TravelNum shows you exactly how any number is pronounced in Chinese.