adverbial N2 uncommon casualpolitewritten
一つ — (adverbial) for one thing / kindly
一つ
Meaning
① ①: for one thing / for one — singles out one point or reason
② ②: (just) ~, kindly / let me just ~ — softens a request or a volitional proposal
Key sentence
① ①
それには一つ問題がある。
There's one problem with that.
② ②
ここは一つ、よろしくお願いします。
I'd really appreciate your help with this, if you would.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Adverb | 一つ + clause (sense ①) / 一つ + request or volitional (sense ②) | 一つお願いがある |
Examples
① ①
彼を選んだ理由は、一つには経験が豊富だからだ。
One reason I chose him is that he has a wealth of experience.
② ②
難しいだろうが、一つやってみよう。
It'll be hard, but let's just give it a try.
Easily confused with
Notes
- Sense ② is a softening flavour with no literal 'one' meaning — it eases a request or rallies someone to an attempt (一つよろしく, 一つ頑張ろう).
See 一つ in real sentences
Jengo shows 一つ the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar. Editorial confidence: medium.