Translation guide
Describes completing an action all at once, without stopping or in a single attempt. Japanese uses adverbs and verb phrases that emphasize continuity, single attempts, or doing everything together.
To do something from start to finish without pausing or breaking.
Adverb meaning 'in one breath' or 'without stopping'. Commonly used for drinking, reading, or completing tasks in a single stretch.
彼はビールを一気に飲み干した。
He drank the beer in one go.
その小説を一気に読んだ。
I read the novel in one go.
Noun/suru-verb meaning 'reading in one sitting'. Often used for binge-reading manga or books.
この漫画、一気読みしちゃった。
I read this manga in one go.
Noun meaning 'chugging' or 'drinking in one go'. Often used for alcohol.
一気飲みは危険です。
Chugging is dangerous.
To succeed or complete something on the first try, without multiple attempts.
Means 'in one shot' or 'on the first try'. Used for passing exams, fixing things, or achieving something instantly.
試験に一発で合格した。
I passed the exam in one go.
この問題を一発で解決した。
I solved this problem in one go.
Literally 'at one time'. Can mean doing multiple things simultaneously or all at once, but also implies a single attempt when context allows.
Formal/literary adverb meaning 'in one stroke' or 'at a single blow'. Used for sweeping actions or decisive moves.
To handle multiple items or tasks collectively rather than separately.
Adverb meaning 'collectively' or 'in a batch'. Used when grouping things together to do them at once.
書類をまとめて提出してください。
Please submit the documents in one go.
買い物をまとめて済ませた。
I did the shopping in one go.
Means 'in a lump sum' or 'all together'. Often used in business or payment contexts.
料金を一括でお支払いください。
Please pay the fee in one go.
Casual variant of 一度に, meaning 'all at once'. Often used in spoken Japanese.
To perform a physical action smoothly without stopping or breaking the motion.
Also used for physical actions done in a single, uninterrupted motion.
階段を一気に駆け上がった。
I ran up the stairs in one go.
Literally 'in one breath'. Similar to 一気に but can emphasize the breathless, continuous nature of the action.
彼は一息にそれを言い切った。
He said it all in one go.
一気に focuses on continuity (without pausing), while 一発で focuses on succeeding in a single attempt. Use 一気に for actions like drinking or reading without stopping, and 一発で for passing a test or fixing something on the first try.
The phrase 'in one go' does not have a single direct equivalent. Translating it word-for-word (e.g., 一回で) often sounds unnatural. Choose the expression that matches the nuance: continuity, single attempt, or batching.
レポートを一気に書き上げた。
I finished the report in one go.
この箱を全部一度に運べる？
Can you carry all these boxes in one go?
Don't try to do everything in one go.
Solve the problems in one go.
そんなに一遍に食べられないよ。
I can't eat that much in one go.