ひとつ (hitotsu)

Meaning & usage

ひとつ placed at the start of a clause softens a suggestion, request, or invitation by framing it as something worth trying. It is often used with trial expressions like てみませんか, てみましょう, てみてください, or polite requests like てもらえませんか and してもよろしいですか. It sounds considerate and slightly formal, so it is common when asking a favor or proposing a course of action.

Example sentences 8

1. ひとつお願ねがいしてもよろしいですか。

   May I ask you to do me a favor?

2. 一つお伺いしたいのですが。

   I'd like to ask a question.

3. ひとつ試してみませんか。

   Why don't you give it a try?

4. ひとつ休んでみてはどうですか。

   How about trying to get some rest?

5. ひとつ私に任せてみてください。

   Please try letting me handle it.

6. ひとつ一緒に考えてみましょう。

   Let's try thinking about it together.

7. ひとつ話を聞いてもらえませんか。

   Could you please hear me out?

8. ひとつこの案で進めてみよう。

   Let's try moving ahead with this plan.