Hitori in Japanese can be written in the two different ways, explained

What does “hitori” mean in Japanese?

The meaning of “hitori” can vary depending on the kanji expression. Japanese people write it in the two different ways: “一人” and “独り”. The first one means ‘one person’; the second means ‘alone’. In this blog post, I will explain “hitori” in detail based on the two kanji expressions. And also, I will explain how to use them through example sentences. Let’s get started!

Contents

• “Hitori” to mean ‘one person’
• Example #1: how to say “one person” in Japanese
• “Hitori” to mean ‘alone’
• Example #2: how to say “alone” in Japanese
• Summary

“Hitori” to mean ‘one person’

Let me start with the first kanji expression.

• hitori – 一人 (ひとり) : a noun meaning ‘one person’ in Japanese.

The first kanji character, “一”, is widely used as a numeral meaning ‘one’; the second, “人”, is used to mean ‘person’ or ‘people’. So this kanji expression literally means ‘one person’. What its kanji characters express is completely in line with its meaning.

Depending on the context, however, this kanji expression could also mean ‘alone’. Being one person sometimes coincides with being alone.

Then, let me explain how to use this type of “hitori” through the example sentence below.

Example #1: how to say “one person” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• no – の : a case particle used to limit the meaning of its following word with the meaning of its preceding word based on relations like possessing and belonging. In the example, it is used to limit the meaning of “chikara” with the meaning of “hitori”. The formed phrase, “hitori no chikara”, has been translated as “the power of one person”. The role of “no” is quite similar to that of the English preposition, “of”, the word orders in Japanese and English are different, though.
• chikara – 力 (ちから) : a noun meaning ‘power’ in Japanese.
• ga – が : a case particle used to make the subject word or the object word in a sentence. In the example, it is used after the noun phrase, “hitori no chikara”, to make the subject in the sentence.
• sekai – 世界 (せかい) : a noun meaning ‘world’ in Japanese.
• wo – を : a case particle used to make the object word in a sentence. In the example, it is used after “sekai” to make the object in the sentence.
• kaeru – 変える (かえる) : a verb meaning ‘to change’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of this type of “hitori”. When we want to say “one person” in Japanese, this word would be the best choice in most cases.

“Hitori” to mean ‘alone’

Next, then, let me explain the second kanji expression of “hitori”.

• hitori – 独り (ひとり) : a noun meaning ‘being alone’ in Japanese. It can also be used as an adverb meaning ‘alone’. Although the parts-of-speech are different, it can correspond well to the English adjective, “alone”.

The kanji character, “独”, is used to mean ‘alone’, ‘unique’, ‘single’, or such in Japanese. So, this expression literally means ‘alone’. When we want to mean ‘alone’ in Japanese, we should use this kanji expression intentionally.

Let me explain how to use this type of “hitori” through the example sentence.

Example #2: how to say “alone” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• kare – 彼 (かれ) : a pronoun meaning ‘he’ in Japanese.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, it is used after “kare” to make the subject word in the sentence.
• de – で : a case particle used to say how to do something. In the example, it is used after “hitori” to say how “kare” walked.
• arui – 歩い (あるい) : one conjugation of the verb, “aruku”, which means ‘to walk’ in Japanese. It has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
• ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. Probably it is well known as a part of Japanese ta form. In the example, it is put after the conjugated verb, “arui”, to make its past tense form, “arui ta”.

This is a typical usage of this “hitori”. Like in this example, it is often used together with the case particle, “de”, which is used to indicate a means or way to do something. The formed phrase, “hitori de”, is often translated into English as “alone” or “by oneself”. It’s worth knowing, I think.

Summary

In this blog post, I’ve explained “hitori” based on the two different kanji expressions. And also, I’ve explained how to use them through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.

• hitori – 一人 (ひとり) : a noun meaning ‘one person’ in Japanese. These two kanji characters literally mean ‘one person’.
• hitori – 独り (ひとり) : a noun meaning ‘being alone’ in Japanese. It can also be used as an adverb meaning ‘alone’. Although the parts-of-speech are different, it can correspond well to the English adjective, “alone”. The kanji character, “独”, is used to mean ‘alone’, ‘unique’, ‘single’, or such in Japanese. So, this expression literally means ‘alone’.
• hitori de – 独りで (ひとりで) : a Japanese phrase often translated as “alone” or “by oneself”.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.