Yojijukugo
Japanese meaning of 一期一会
Reading:
Voice sample:
いちごいちえ (ichigo ichie)
English Translation:
Once-in-a-lifetime encounter. / Treasure every meeting, for it will never recur.
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
A rare and irreplaceable encounter or opportunity that may only happen once in a lifetime. It highlights the importance of treasuring meaningful meetings and moments because they may never occur again.
日本語で読む
人生の中で一度きりしか訪れないかもしれない、とても貴重な出会いや経験。二度とない機会であるからこそ、その瞬間や人との縁を大切にすべきだという価値観です。
Cultural Context:
Rooted in the Japanese tea ceremony, this phrase has spread to business etiquette, hospitality, and tourism, where it underscores mindfulness toward each interaction.
日本語で読む
茶道の精神に由来し、ビジネスマナーや接客、観光業などに広まり、あらゆる出会いを大切にする心構えを示す。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• "Once-in-a-lifetime encounter." = Used as a set phrase to remind people to cherish each meeting.<br>• Often appears in both formal and everyday situations to stress the uniqueness of the present moment.
日本語で読む
• 「一度きりの出会い」という意味で使い、日常でも改まった場面でも用いられる。
Trap for English Speakers
Be careful not to interpret this as only big or rare events; in Japanese, it applies even to everyday encounters.
日本語で読む
「once in a lifetime」と訳して特別な出来事だけと思われがちだが、日本語では日常の出会いにも広く使われる。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
この出会いを一期一会として大切にしたい。
I want to treasure this once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
Example 2Applied Example
旅先の小さな港町で出会った老人と語り合った夕暮れ。もう二度と会うことはないだろう。その一期一会が、不思議な温かさを残した。
In a small harbor town on his travels, he spent the evening talking with an old man. They would likely never meet again, and that once-in-a-lifetime encounter left a strange warmth in his heart.
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「一期一会」 mean?