HSK Guide

一 yī — one

yī (first tone, high and level)yi1

one

HSK 1· HSK 1–4 (classic)Level 1· Three-band, nine-level standardnumeral
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Meanings

  1. one

    The number 1. Counting out loud it is yī, but in front of a noun its tone shifts: yì before a first, second or third tone, yí before a fourth tone.

    numeral

  2. a, an (with a measure word)

    numeral

Example sentences

  • 这是一本汉语书。這是一本漢語書。Zhè (fourth tone, falling) shì (fourth tone, falling) yì (fourth tone, falling) běn (third tone, dipping) Hànyǔ (fourth tone, falling) shū. (first tone, high and level)···

    This is a Chinese textbook.

  • 我想买一个杯子。我想買一個杯子。Wǒ (third tone, dipping) xiǎng (third tone, dipping) mǎi (third tone, dipping) yí (second tone, rising) ge (neutral tone) bēizi. (first tone, high and level)···

    I’d like to buy a cup.

Common mistakes

  • Not quiteyī ge rén

    Correctyí ge rén

    一 takes second tone before a fourth tone, and 个 is underlyingly fourth tone even when said lightly — hence yí ge. Before other tones it is yì: yì běn, yì bēi, yì nián.

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