<p>“one” can be translated as 一个人，but usually that translation is not literary enough I think. You can translate it as “顾客” （client ）in this situation.  If  this word is used in hospital，“病人” is though to be a better translation.  Therefore，the proper translation is related to the situation you are in.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-06T12:09:55.437Z
2019-04-06T12:09:55.437Z
Joy Jo
<p>Whereas in German the use of 'man' (= one) is still common, not many English speakers (except maybe Elizabeth R) use 'one' anymore, they say 'you' instead. That's what you can do in Chinese too.</p>

<p>One must pay attention in class.<br>
你（们）在课堂上应该集中注意力。</p>

<p>or use nothing in an imperative sentence:</p>

<p>One must pay attention in class.<br>
在课堂上应该集中注意力。  </p>

<p>One must pay attention to the traffic signs.<br>
开车一定要注意交通标识。</p>

<p>Don't go randomly using 一个人, though in the right context that could work too.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-08T04:15:31.253Z
What about 某人 for "one"?
Ben Jackson
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-08T05:53:20.203Z
某人 = somebody, can't see that working.
Pedroski
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-06T22:22:30.877Z
2019-04-06T22:22:30.877Z
Pedroski
<p>I'm trying to write a recipe in Chinese, in which I'd like to be able to say something along the lines of "first, one must..." (I know , since a recipe is more informal, I could probably use "you" and be fine, but I'd like to know "one" for future reference). I've tried putting various sentences into online translators (eg "one must wait in line", "one should be kind", etc.), and they either drop the subject completely or use "一个人“ as the subject. Is that correct? It sounds somewhat strange to me to either drop a subject in formal writing or just use 一个人, but I'm definitely not a native speaker. <strong>How would I express the idea of "one" as the subject of a sentence?</strong></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-06T12:10:11.827Z
http://www.iciba.com/one%20must
user6065
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-06T12:18:24.247Z
@user6065; I think my question still stands; is it okay in literary writing to use 一个人 or drop the subject? Thanks for finding another source though!
米凯乐
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-06T12:50:55.260Z
sounds unfamiliar to longtime readers
user6065
<word-requests>
"One" (eg. one must) in Chinese?
# "One" (eg. one must) in Chinese?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-04-06)

I'm trying to write a recipe in Chinese, in which I'd like to be able to say something along the lines of "first, one must..." (I know , since a recipe is more informal, I could probably use "you" and be fine, but I'd like to know "one" for future reference). I've tried putting various sentences into online translators (eg "one must wait in line", "one should be kind", etc.), and they either drop the subject completely or use "一个人“ as the subject. Is that correct? It sounds somewhat strange to me to either drop a subject in formal writing or just use 一个人, but I'm definitely not a native speaker. **How would I express the idea of "one" as the subject of a sentence?**

**Tags:** word-requests

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: http://www.iciba.com/one%20must  
> **username_0**: @username_1; I think my question still stands; is it okay in literary writing to use 一个人 or drop the subject? Thanks for finding another source though!  
> **username_1**: sounds unfamiliar to longtime readers  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2019-04-06. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

Whereas in German the use of 'man' (= one) is still common, not many English speakers (except maybe Elizabeth R) use 'one' anymore, they say 'you' instead. That's what you can do in Chinese too.

One must pay attention in class.  
你（们）在课堂上应该集中注意力。

or use nothing in an imperative sentence:

One must pay attention in class.  
在课堂上应该集中注意力。

One must pay attention to the traffic signs.  
开车一定要注意交通标识。

Don't go randomly using 一个人, though in the right context that could work too.

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: What about 某人 for "one"?  
> **username_3**: 某人 = somebody, can't see that working.  

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### Answer by username_2 on 2019-04-06. Score: 4

“one” can be translated as 一个人，but usually that translation is not literary enough I think. You can translate it as “顾客” （client ）in this situation. If this word is used in hospital，“病人” is though to be a better translation. Therefore，the proper translation is related to the situation you are in.


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