Contents

Meaning

一途 means “devoted,” “faithful,” or “single-minded.”

More specifically, it describes someone who:

Is completely devoted or loyal to one person or cause
Focuses exclusively on one thing or person without wavering
Is steadfast and unwavering in their commitment or affection
Pursues one goal or direction with complete dedication
Doesn’t have divided loyalties or interests

Key nuances:

The term emphasizes singular focus and unwavering dedication. It suggests not just commitment, but an almost exclusive focus on that one person, goal, or path. There’s an element of purity and sincerity in the devotion.

Common contexts:

Romantic relationships – someone who is faithful and devoted to their partner
Work or goals – someone who is single-mindedly pursuing a specific objective
Loyalty – someone who is steadfastly loyal to a person, organization, or cause
Personal dedication – someone who is entirely committed to self-improvement or a particular interest

Example usage:

彼は彼女一途だ (He is devoted only to his girlfriend / He is faithful to his girlfriend)
仕事に一途に取り組む (To work single-mindedly / To dedicate oneself entirely to work)
一途な思いを抱く (To harbor pure, unwavering feelings)

Common English equivalents:

“devoted”
“faithful”
“single-minded”
“steadfast”
“loyal”
“unwavering”
“dedicated”

The term is generally positive and admiring, suggesting sincerity and reliability.

Example sentences

一途 (ichizu) – 20 Example Sentences

1

Japanese: 彼は彼女に一途だと思う。 English: I think he is devoted to his girlfriend.

2

Japanese: 彼女の一途な思いが、最終的に彼の心を変えた。 English: Her unwavering feelings ultimately changed his heart.

3

Japanese: あの選手は野球に一途に取り組んでいる。 English: That athlete is single-mindedly dedicated to baseball.

4

Japanese: 一途な愛情は、何よりも尊い。 English: Devoted love is more precious than anything else.

5

Japanese: 彼女は仕事に一途だから、恋愛には時間がない。 English: She is single-minded about her work, so she has no time for romance.

6

Japanese: 一途な人は、周りの誘惑に負けない。 English: A devoted person doesn’t succumb to temptations around them.

7

Japanese: 彼の一途な姿勢が、みんなに尊敬されている。 English: His steadfast attitude is respected by everyone.

8

Japanese: 彼女は目標に一途だ。絶対に諦めない。 English: She is single-minded about her goal. She will never give up.

9

Japanese: 一途な人と浮気性の人では、信頼が全く違う。 English: There’s a huge difference in trustworthiness between a devoted person and an unfaithful one.

10

Japanese: あの俳優は演技に一途だ。私生活はあまり知られていない。 English: That actor is devoted to his craft. His private life isn’t well known.

11

Japanese: 彼は昔から夢に一途だった。だからこそ成功したんだ。 English: He has always been single-minded about his dream. That’s why he succeeded.

12

Japanese: 一途な思いを持つことは、とても大切だ。 English: Having unwavering feelings is very important.

13

Japanese: 彼女の一途さは、疑いの余地がない。彼を本当に愛している。 English: There’s no doubt about her faithfulness. She truly loves him.

14

Japanese: 仕事に一途に取り組む人は、必ず成功する。 English: People who work single-mindedly will always succeed.

15

Japanese: 彼は家族に一途だ。いつも家族のことを一番に考えている。 English: He is devoted to his family. He always puts his family first.

16

Japanese: 一途な恋愛は時代遅れだと言う人もいるが、私は美しいと思う。 English: Some say devoted love is outdated, but I think it’s beautiful.

17

Japanese: あの人の一途な姿勢を見ていると、自分も頑張ろうと思う。 English: Seeing that person’s steadfast attitude makes me want to work harder too.

18

Japanese: 彼女は彼に一途だったが、彼は浮気をしてしまった。 English: She was faithful to him, but he had an affair.

19

Japanese: 一途に進む道が、必ずしも正しいとは限らない。時には柔軟性も大事だ。 English: A single-minded path isn’t always the right one. Sometimes flexibility is important too.

20

Japanese: その画家は美に一途だ。毎日、同じテーマで絵を描き続けている。 English: That painter is devoted to beauty. He paints the same subject every day.

Conversation example

一途 (ichizu) – Conversation Examples

Conversation 1: Friends Discussing a Relationship

Japanese:

友人A: ねえ、田中くんって本当に良い人だよね。
友人B: そうだね。特に彼女に対して一途だからね。
友人A: 本当。他の子から言い寄られても、彼女のことだけを考えてる。
友人B: そういう人って珍しいよ。最近の男の人は浮気性が多いのに。
友人A: だから、彼女もそんなに心配しないんだと思う。彼の一途さが信頼を生んでる。

English:

Friend A: Hey, Tanaka is really a great guy, isn’t he?
Friend B: Yeah. Especially because he’s devoted to his girlfriend.
Friend A: True. Even when other girls approach him, he only thinks of his girlfriend.
Friend B: People like that are rare. Most guys these days are unfaithful.
Friend A: I think that’s why his girlfriend doesn’t worry too much. His devotion builds trust.

Conversation 2: Parents Talking About Their Child

Japanese:

父: 息子が野球を始めてから、本当に一途になったね。
母: 本当に。毎日練習ばかり。休みの日も野球のことばかり考えてる。
父: そのくらい一途に取り組む姿勢があれば、将来成功するんじゃないかな。
母: そうね。最初は野球ばかりで心配だったけど、今は応援してる。
父: 大事なのは、一途に努力を続けることだからね。

English:

Father: Ever since our son started playing baseball, he’s become really single-minded about it.
Mother: Really. He practices every day. Even on his days off, he only thinks about baseball.
Father: If he’s so dedicated like this, I think he’ll succeed in the future.
Mother: That’s true. At first, I was worried because it was just baseball, but now I support him.
Father: What’s important is continuing to work single-mindedly.

Conversation 3: Coworkers Discussing a Colleague

Japanese:

同僚A: 山田さんって本当に仕事に一途だよね。
同僚B: そうだね。定時退社なんてしたことないみたい。
同僚A: プライベートはどうしてるんだろう？恋愛とか。
同僚B: 聞いたことないな。仕事のことばっかり。その一途な姿勢があるから、昇進も早いんだと思う。
同僚A: 羨ましいな。そこまで何かに集中できるって。

English:

Coworker A: Yamada is really devoted to her work, isn’t she?
Coworker B: Yeah. She never leaves on time.
Coworker A: What about her private life? Romance or anything?
Coworker B: I’ve never heard about it. She only talks about work. I think her single-minded attitude is why she’s been promoted so quickly.
Coworker A: That’s admirable. To be able to focus on something so completely.

Conversation 4: Love Advice Between Friends

Japanese:

友人A: 最近、彼からメッセージが減ったんだ。浮気してるのかな。
友人B: 大丈夫だよ。彼は一途な人じゃん。そんなことするわけない。
友人A: でもさ、最近忙しいって言ってて。
友人B: それだけじゃないか。仕事で忙しいんだと思う。一途な人だからこそ、余裕がなくなってるんだよ。
友人A: そっか。考えすぎてたかな。彼を信頼しよう。

English:

Friend A: Lately, he’s been messaging me less. Is he cheating on me?
Friend B: It’s okay. He’s a devoted person, you know. There’s no way he’d do that.
Friend A: But he’s been saying he’s busy lately.
Friend B: That’s probably it. He’s busy with work. Precisely because he’s devoted, he doesn’t have much room to breathe.
Friend A: I see. Maybe I’m overthinking. I should trust him.

Conversation 5: Artist and Mentor

Japanese:

弟子: 先生は何十年も絵を描き続けているんですか？
師匠: そうだね。絵に一途だからこそ、ここまで続けられたんだと思う。
弟子: 本当に尊敬します。私も先生みたいに一途に絵に取り組みたいです。
師匠: いいね。でも大事なのは、一途さと同時に、時には柔軟性も持つことだ。
弟子: 柔軟性ですか？
師匠: そう。一途に進むことも大事だが、時には立ち止まって、周りを見ることも必要だ。

English:

Student: Master, have you been painting for decades?
Master: Yes, I think it’s because I’ve been devoted to painting that I’ve been able to continue this long.
Student: I truly respect you. I want to dedicate myself to painting just like you do.
Master: That’s great. But it’s important to have flexibility alongside devotion.
Student: Flexibility?
Master: Yes. It’s important to pursue something single-mindedly, but sometimes you also need to stop and look around you.

Conversation 6: Siblings Discussing Career Paths

Japanese:

姉: あなたは本当に一途だね。やりたいことが決まったら、ぶれないんだから。
弟: 姉さんだって、キャリアに一途じゃない。
姉: あ、でも私は結婚も考えてるし、恋愛もしてるし。
弟: だから何？僕は起業することに一途なだけで、恋愛をしないわけじゃない。
姉: ごめん。つい、比較しちゃった。あなたのその一途さが、成功の秘訣なんだと思う。
弟: ありがとう。応援してくれて。

English:

Older Sister: You’re really single-minded, aren’t you? Once you decide what you want to do, you never waver.
Younger Brother: You’re devoted to your career too, aren’t you?
Older Sister: Well, but I’m also thinking about marriage and pursuing romance.
Younger Brother: So what? I’m just single-minded about starting a business. That doesn’t mean I’m not interested in romance.
Older Sister: I’m sorry. I was comparing you two. I think your single-mindedness is the secret to your success.
Younger Brother: Thank you. I appreciate your support.

Conversation 7: Dating Conversation

Japanese:

彼女: ねえ、私のこと好き？
彼氏: 何言ってるんだ。一途に君のことが好きに決まってるじゃん。
彼女: 本当？浮気とかしないってことだよね。
彼氏: そりゃそうだ。僕は一途な人間だからね。君以外のことは考えたことない。
彼女: そっか。ごめんね、不安になってた。
彼氏: いいよ。でも安心してくれ。僕の一途さは本物だ。

English:

Girlfriend: Hey, do you love me?
Boyfriend: What are you saying? Of course I’m devoted to you.
Girlfriend: Really? You won’t cheat or anything, right?
Boyfriend: Of course not. I’m a devoted person. I’ve never thought about anyone but you.
Girlfriend: I see. Sorry, I was feeling insecure.
Boyfriend: It’s okay. But trust me. My devotion is real.

Conversation 8: Boss and Employee

Japanese:

上司: 君は本当に仕事に一途だね。他の人より成長も早い。
部下: ありがとうございます。一途に取り組むことが大事だと思ってます。
上司: その通り。でも時には休むことも大事だぞ。無理しすぎるなよ。
部下: わかりました。バランスも大事ですね。
上司: そうだ。一途さと同時に、自分の健康を守ることも大事なんだ。

English:

Boss: You’re really devoted to your work. You’re growing faster than others.
Employee: Thank you so much. I think it’s important to work single-mindedly.
Boss: That’s right. But it’s also important to take breaks sometimes. Don’t overdo it.
Employee: I understand. Balance is important too.
Boss: Exactly. Devotion is important, but so is taking care of your own health.