Translation guide
How to express doing things individually, in sequence, or one by one in Japanese.
Expressing that things are done individually, one after another.
The most common and natural way to say 'one at a time' for countable items or actions. Used for physical objects or tasks.
書類を一つずつ確認してください。
Please check the documents one at a time.
問題を一つずつ解決していきましょう。
Let's solve the problems one at a time.
Emphasizing that things should be done individually, not simultaneously or in bulk.
Literally 'one at one time'. Strongly contrasts with doing many things at once. Common in instructions.
一度に一つのタスクに集中してください。
Please focus on one task at a time.
Expressing a gradual, step-by-step approach to a process or learning.
Literally 'one step at a time'. Used metaphorically for progress in life, learning, or projects.
一歩ずつ前に進みましょう。
Let's move forward one step at a time.
ずつ means 'at a time' (distributing equally or sequentially), while ごとに means 'every' (repeating intervals). For 'one at a time', use ずつ.
一人ずつ呼びます。
I will call you one at a time.
一人ごとに確認します。
I will check for each person (every person).
Do not translate 'one at a time' word-for-word as 一つに一回 (hitotsu ni ikkai) or similar. It sounds unnatural. Use ずつ or 一度に一つ instead.
一人ずつお入りください。
Please come in one at a time.
問題を一つずつ処理してください。
Deal with the issues one at a time.
Specifically for people: 'one person at a time'. Use when individuals take turns or enter/leave sequentially.
一人ずつ部屋に入ってください。
Please enter the room one at a time.
一人ずつ自己紹介をお願いします。
Please introduce yourselves one at a time.
For small objects counted with 個 (ko). More specific than 一つずつ when the counter is known.
飴を一個ずつ配ってください。
Please hand out the candies one at a time.
Means 'in turn' or 'in order'. Emphasizes the sequence rather than the singularity. Often used when people take turns.
順番に話してください。
Please speak one at a time (in turn).
I will answer one question at a time.
Means 'only one'. Can imply 'one at a time' when used in context, but more about limitation than sequence.
一度に一つだけ選んでください。
Please choose only one at a time.
If you learn one step at a time without rushing, you'll be fine.
Means 'little by little'. Emphasizes gradual progress rather than discrete steps. More general than 一歩ずつ.
少しずつ慣れていきます。
I'll get used to it one step at a time.