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一気に
N2 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today
ikki ni
in one go; without stopping; all at once
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🃏 Flashcard
一気に
ikki ni
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in one go; without stopping; all at once
N2
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📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level N2
Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage
Reading ikki ni
Post ID 51028
Patterns today 0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes

in one go; without stopping; all at once

📖 How to use it

Describes doing something in one continuous action or large amount at once.

Attaches to Used before a verb or adjective as an adverb; no specific conjugation needed. It modifies the following verb or adjective, e.g., 一気に食べる (eat in one go) or 一気に寒くなる (get cold all at once).

一気に is a common adverb meaning 'in one go' or 'all at once.' It emphasizes that an action is done without interruption or that a change happens suddenly and completely. You can use it with many verbs, especially ones involving consumption, movement, or change. For example, you might drink a glass of water in one go, or the temperature might drop suddenly in autumn.

It's a straightforward, everyday expression. You can use it in both speaking and writing, though it's slightly more common in conversation and casual writing. There's no need to adjust the form of the verb; just place 一気に right before the verb or adjective it modifies. Note that it doesn't necessarily imply speed—rather, it's about doing something in a single, continuous stretch.

While it's often used with physical actions like eating or drinking, it can also describe mental or emotional actions, such as reading a book in one sitting, or finishing a task without taking breaks.

喉が渇いたので、水を一気に飲んだ。
Nodo ga kawaita node, mizu o ikki ni nonda.
I was thirsty, so I drank the water in one go.
この小説は面白くて、一気に読んでしまった。
Kono shōsetsu wa omoshirokute, ikki ni yonde shimatta.
This novel was so interesting that I read it all at once.
秋になると、気温が一気に下がることがある。
Aki ni naru to, kion ga ikki ni sagaru koto ga aru.
When autumn comes, the temperature can drop all at once.
Not 一気に vs. いっぺんに 一気に emphasizes doing something in one continuous action without stopping, while いっぺんに means 'all at once' in the sense of doing many things simultaneously or at the same time. For example, 一気に飲む means to drink without pausing, but いっぺんにやる means to do multiple tasks at the same time.
Register Neutral and commonly used in both conversation and writing, though it's more frequent in everyday speech.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
一気に
📚 How to Master This Pattern
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Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat 一気に three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
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Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
✍️
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using 一気に. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
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Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern 一気に mean? ▼
In one go; without stopping; all at once
What JLPT level is 一気に? ▼
Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use 一気に in a sentence? ▼
Attach 一気に (ikki ni) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is 一気に formal or casual Japanese? ▼
一気に is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember 一気に long-term? ▼
Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.