一気に | Grammar

Structure

一気に + [verb]

一気に + [i-adj] + なる

一気に + [na-adj] + になる

Standalone adverb; typically modifies a following verb or phrase indicating action, change, or completion.

Description

一気に (いっきに) is an adverb meaning "in one go," "all at once," "without stopping," or "in one breath." It describes doing something rapidly and continuously without pausing or breaking the action into stages.

The word originates from いっき一気 (one breath/one burst of energy), and it conveys a sense of speed, momentum, and determination.

Completing something without stopping

The most common use of 一気に is to describe finishing or accomplishing something in a single, uninterrupted effort.

。

I read this book in one go.

。

I drank the water all at once.

。

I finished my homework in one go.

Rapid change or shift

一気に is also used to describe a sudden, dramatic change in a situation, condition, or atmosphere – something that happens all at once rather than gradually.

。

The temperature dropped suddenly.

。

The atmosphere changed all at once.

Nuance

Compared to similar adverbs like すぐに (immediately) or きゅうに急に (suddenly), 一気に emphasizes the continuous, non-stop nature of the action or change. It often implies willpower, momentum, or an overwhelming force driving the action to completion without interruption.

一気に can be used in both casual and formal contexts and frequently appears in writing as well as speech.

Examples

。

He drank the beer down in one gulp.

。

I finished reading the novel in one go over the weekend.

。

I ran up the stairs without stopping.

、。

When autumn came, the temperature dropped all at once.

。

Her speech instantly livened up the atmosphere in the venue.

。

It's difficult to pay off the debt all at once.

、。

Thanks to the new product, sales shot up all at once.

。

I wrote up the report in one go.

。

The cherry blossoms all bloomed at once.

、。

In the second half of the match, the opposing team made a complete comeback all at once.

、。

I was tired, so I fell asleep instantly.

。

Let's get the rest of the work done in one go.