How to Say ‘One time; once’ in Japanese
一回
itsu kai
[ee-chee kai]
💬 Usage Tip: [一回] counts occurrences (once). It’s read [いっかい] (note the small pause in the [っ]).
🇯🇵 In Japan: Counting with [〜回] is everywhere: workouts, practice reps, tries at a game—Japanese loves neat counters for everything.
Phrase Breakdown
一
itsu
[ee-chee]
one
Number 1. Used with counters (回, 人, 枚, etc.). In 一回 it means 'one time/once.'
一回だけやってみます。
I’ll try it just once.
回
kai
[kai]
counter for times; occurrence; round
Counter for occurrences/rounds: 一回 (once), 二回 (twice). Also used for 'a round' (e.g., meeting, match).
もう一回言ってください。
Please say it one more time.
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