Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Single" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "single", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
頓服
とんぷく (tonpuku)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
一字千金
いちじせんきん
C2PLUS / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "single" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 頓服 and 一字千金.
In Japanese, 頓服 (とんぷく (tonpuku)) is typically associated with "single dose (of medicine), medication taken as needed" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Refers to a single dose of medicine taken on an as-needed basis, typically for immediate relief of symptoms like pain or fever, rather than regularly scheduled medication. Often used in medical contexts..
On the other hand, 一字千金 (いちじせんきん) maps to "a single character worth a thousand pieces of gold (referring to excellent writing or a valuable statement)" (Syllabus Level: C2PLUS) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C2PLUS vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "single" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "頓服"
頭痛がひどい時は、頓服を飲んで安静にしている。
When my headache is severe, I take a single dose of medicine and rest.
Bilingual Context for "一字千金"
私は一字千金に興味があります。
I am interested in a single character worth a thousand pieces of gold (referring to excellent writing or a valuable statement).
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "頭痛がひどい時は、 ＿＿＿ を飲んで安静にしている。" (Meaning: "When my headache is severe, I take a single dose of medicine and rest.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "頓服" fits here because it means "single dose (of medicine), medication taken as needed" in the context of: "When my headache is severe, I take a single dose of medicine and rest.". "一字千金" represents "a single character worth a thousand pieces of gold (referring to excellent writing or a valuable statement)".