壹
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: one
💡 Think 'one' dressed in fancy formal wear for bank checks.
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
Detectives, meet 壹 (yī), the formal 'one' used in financial documents to prevent fraud. Its 12 strokes form a complex seal script descendant of a ritual vessel, symbolizing completeness. Unlike simple 一 (yī), 壹 appears on banknotes and checks, warding off forgery with its elaborate structure. Cultural note: it embodies the principle 'one is the beginning of all numbers' in Chinese philosophy.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
Your First Step into Chinese Culture: Get a Chinese Name
Every journey into Chinese begins with a name. Use our free Chinese name generator to create a meaningful, personalized Chinese name that fits you perfectly.
Get My Chinese Name →
0