一気にikki ni“in one go; without stopping; all at once; immediately; instantly; right away”

一気に（いっきに） means in one go; without stopping; all at once; immediately; instantly; right away ~. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to express that an action is completed in one continuous, uninterrupted burst.

This grammar point often appears in essays, formal writing, conversations, and JLPT N2 reading passages. If you want to express that an action is completed in one continuous, uninterrupted burst, 一気に（いっきに） is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural precision to your Japanese.

What does 一気に（いっきに） mean?

Use 一気に（いっきに） when you want to express that an action is completed in one continuous, uninterrupted burst.

Natural translations include:

• in one go; without stopping; all at once; immediately; instantly; right away ~

How to form 一気に（いっきに）

一気に + Verb

Examples of the pattern:

• 一気に飲む
• 一気に片付ける

When is 一気に（いっきに） used?

Use 一気に（いっきに） in situations like:

• doing something in one burst without pause

Tone and register:

• neutral/colloquial; lively tone
• Common in test questions, essays, daily conversation, and JLPT N2 reading

一気に（いっきに） example sentences

• ビールを一気に飲んだ。 — I drank the beer in one gulp.
• 仕事を一気に片付けた。 — I finished off the work all at once.
• 彼は一気に階段を駆け上がった。 — He dashed up the stairs in one go.
• 値段が一気に上がった。 — The price shot up all at once.
• 小説を一気に読み終えた。 — I read the novel in one sitting.

After reading each sentence, ask what job 一気に（いっきに） is doing: an action is completed in one continuous, uninterrupted burst.

Nuance of 一気に（いっきに）

The key nuance is an action is completed in one continuous, uninterrupted burst.

For example:

• In context, it carries a specific, nuanced meaning that a simpler pattern would not convey.
• Compared with 一度に, it carries a different weight and implication.

一気に（いっきに） vs 一度に

一気に（いっきに）:

• an action is completed in one continuous, uninterrupted burst

一度に:

• at once; all at the same time

Quick contrast examples:

• 一気に飲んだ。
• 一度に飲んだ。

Common mistakes with 一気に（いっきに）

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally without understanding the nuance
• Using it in contexts where the situation doesn’t match the grammar’s core meaning
• Confusing it with similar-looking but different grammar patterns

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with 一気に（いっきに）, then rewrite it with 一度に. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.

Is 一気に（いっきに） on the JLPT?

Yes. 一気に（いっきに） is commonly taught as JLPT N2 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

Practice questions for 一気に（いっきに）

• Use 一気に（いっきに） in a sentence about a personal experience or observation.
• Write a sentence where the nuance of 一気に（いっきに） is necessary.
• Compare 一気に（いっきに） with 一度に in your own example.

Learning path for 一気に（いっきに）

To learn 一気に（いっきに） efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.

1. First, make sure you can form 一気に（いっきに） without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with 一度に.
3. Finally, write sentences where 一気に（いっきに） is necessary; then check whether replacing it with one of the related patterns below changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• ままに — because it also involves doing something continuously as guided
• 再び（ふたたび） — because it also involves repeated or resumed actions
• か～ないかのうちに — because it also involves near-simultaneous sequences

Learn 一気に（いっきに） with Hane

If you want to review 一気に（いっきに） together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

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