Translation guide
Describes a person who focuses intensely on one goal or purpose, often to the exclusion of everything else. Japanese expresses this through adjectives, verbs, and set phrases that emphasize dedication, concentration, or stubborn fixation.
Describing someone who is dedicated and unwavering in pursuing one objective.
An adjective meaning wholeheartedly devoted to one thing, often used for love, ambition, or effort. Implies purity of focus.
彼は研究に一途だ。
He is single-minded in his research.
一途な思いを伝えた。
I conveyed my single-minded feelings.
Describes earnest, steady dedication toward a goal. Often used for hard work or sincere effort.
ひたむきに練習する。
Practice single-mindedly.
彼女のひたむきな姿勢が評価された。
Her single-minded attitude was appreciated.
A four-character compound meaning 'wholeheartedly and without distraction'. Stronger and more formal than 一途.
一心不乱に勉強した。
I studied single-mindedly.
A noun/suru-verb meaning to devote oneself exclusively to something. Often used with に.
仕事に専念する。
Devote oneself single-mindedly to work.
Describing someone who is obsessively or narrowly focused, often with a negative nuance of ignoring other things.
An adjective meaning stubbornly sticking to one's own way, often refusing to consider alternatives.
彼は自分の意見に頑なだ。
He is single-minded about his own opinion.
A technical term meaning 'obsessive' or 'monomaniacal'. Strongly negative and clinical.
偏執的な性格。
A single-minded (obsessive) personality.
Describing an action done with full attention and no distractions.
An adverb meaning 'with one's whole heart' or 'intently'. Used with verbs of looking, listening, praying, etc.
一心に祈る。
Pray single-mindedly.
彼は一心に本を読んでいた。
He was reading a book single-mindedly.
A suru-verb meaning to be absorbed or immersed in something. Often used with に.
研究に没頭する。
Be single-mindedly absorbed in research.
一途 (ichizu) often implies emotional devotion, like in love or ambition. ひたむき (hitamuki) emphasizes steady, earnest effort. 一心不乱 (isshinfuran) is more intense and formal, suggesting total concentration without distraction.
The English phrase 'single-minded' can sound negative if it implies stubbornness. In Japanese, choose words carefully: 一途 is usually positive, while 頑な or 一点張り can be negative.
A suffix meaning 'persisting in only one thing'. Often used in compounds like 勉強一点張り (studying and nothing else).
彼は仕事一点張りで、趣味がない。
He is single-minded about work and has no hobbies.