Common Meanings
1
yī一
One; the smallest positive integer (often written as '壹' on banknotes and official documents).
这件衣服只要一块钱。
This piece of clothing only costs one yuan.
Pure; exclusive; single-minded (as in 'focused' or 'wholehearted').
她学习很专一，总是能把注意力集中在课本上。
She is very focused on her studies and can always concentrate on her textbooks.
Whole; entire; full (indicating completeness of time or space)
他用一生来追求自己的梦想。
He spent his entire life pursuing his dream.
Used to express sameness or uniformity, as in '一样' (the same).
这两本书的封面设计完全一样。
The cover designs of these two books are exactly the same.
Another; an alternative designation or name, often used in phrases like '一名' (yī míng - also called) or '一称' (yī chēng - also known as).
这种植物，一称夜来香
This plant is also known as 'Night-blooming Jasmine'.
Indicates a brief, single, or tentative action, often used in reduplicated verbs.
我们休息一下，去公园走一走吧。
Let's take a break and go for a walk in the park.
Used to emphasize an extreme or irreversible outcome, often implying 'as soon as... then...' or 'to such a degree'.
他竟然会一病不起
He actually fell ill and never recovered.
To bring together, unite, or make uniform into a whole, as in 'unified' or 'neat and uniform'.
大家把桌面整理得整齐划一，看起来舒服多了。
Everyone tidied up their desks to be neat and uniform, and it looks much more comfortable.
Used in a 'one... one...' structure to indicate two contrasting or alternating states, actions, or outcomes, such as 'one asks, one answers' or 'one win, one loss'.
他们俩一直保持着一问一答的交流方式。
The two of them have always maintained a question-and-answer style of communication.
First time; initial; immediately upon; as soon as.
他们俩性格很合得来，第一次见面就一拍即合。
Their personalities are very compatible; they hit it off immediately at their first meeting.
In ancient Chinese music notation, 'yī' represents a musical note, equivalent to the low '7' in simplified notation.
这首曲子中，'一'音是低音部分的关键
In this piece of music, the 'yī' note is key to the bass part.