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A2 noun #1,500 le plus courant 14 min de lecture

日曜日

nichiyoubi Top 1,500

At the A1 beginner level, learning the word for Sunday is an absolute priority as it forms the foundation of basic scheduling and time-telling in Japanese. Students at this stage are introduced to the days of the week very early in their curriculum, usually alongside basic numbers and greetings. The primary goal is rote memorization of the pronunciation, nichiyoubi, and recognizing its meaning as the day of rest. Learners practice using the word in very simple, short sentences, such as stating what day it is today or tomorrow. They also learn to attach the particle ni to indicate that an action will happen on Sunday, allowing them to form basic plans like I will go to the park on Sunday or I will study on Sunday. The focus is heavily on practical, immediate communication needs. Teachers often use flashcards, songs, and repetitive speaking drills to help students cement the vocabulary in their memory. At this level, the kanji might be introduced visually, but the emphasis remains on spoken recognition and basic hiragana spelling. Students learn that Sunday is typically a day off, yasumi, connecting the vocabulary to their own daily lives and routines. They practice asking simple questions like Are you free on Sunday? to initiate basic social interactions. Overall, mastering this word at the A1 level provides learners with a crucial tool for navigating basic temporal concepts and taking their first steps toward conversational competence in Japanese.

As learners progress to the A2 level, their interaction with the word for Sunday becomes more nuanced and grammatically complex. They move beyond simple statements and begin to incorporate the word into longer, more detailed sentences involving various verb tenses and modifiers. At this stage, students learn to use relative time expressions, such as next Sunday (tsugi no nichiyoubi), last Sunday (kono mae no nichiyoubi), and every Sunday (mai nichiyoubi), allowing them to discuss past experiences and future habits with greater accuracy. They also practice combining the word with other time-related vocabulary, forming phrases like Sunday morning or Sunday afternoon. Grammatically, A2 learners become more comfortable using the particle ni correctly and understand when it can be omitted, such as with the word for every Sunday. They start to use the word in conjunction with conjunctions and reason markers, creating sentences like Because it is Sunday, the trains are crowded or I want to go shopping, but I am busy on Sunday. The kanji for the word is typically fully mastered at this level, and students are expected to read and write it accurately without furigana assistance. Furthermore, A2 learners begin to encounter the word in more authentic contexts, such as reading simple schedules, understanding basic weather forecasts, and comprehending short diary entries or text messages from friends discussing weekend plans. This deeper engagement with the word significantly enhances their practical communication skills.

At the B1 intermediate level, learners possess a solid grasp of the word for Sunday and begin to use it with greater fluency and flexibility in a wide variety of contexts. They can effortlessly integrate the word into complex sentence structures, utilizing subordinate clauses, conditional forms, and passive or causative verbs. For example, a B1 student might say, If it rains on Sunday, I will probably stay home and read a book, or I was made to work last Sunday by my boss. At this stage, learners are highly comfortable discussing their weekend routines, expressing preferences, and negotiating plans with others using natural, conversational Japanese. They can easily distinguish between similar terms like weekend (shumatsu) and holiday (kyujitsu), choosing the most appropriate word for the specific situation. Reading comprehension improves significantly, allowing students to understand the word within longer texts, such as blog posts, news articles, and detailed event flyers. They can scan a train timetable or a store's website and quickly locate the specific operating hours for Sunday. Furthermore, B1 learners start to pick up on the cultural nuances associated with Sunday in Japan, understanding its role as a primary day for family outings and leisure activities. They can engage in extended conversations about how people typically spend their Sundays, comparing Japanese customs with those of their own culture, thereby demonstrating a deeper sociolinguistic awareness.

Reaching the B2 upper-intermediate level means that the learner's use of the word for Sunday is almost entirely natural and automatic, closely mirroring that of a native speaker in everyday situations. At this stage, the focus shifts from basic grammatical correctness to stylistic variation and register appropriateness. B2 learners can seamlessly adjust their language depending on whether they are speaking to a close friend, a colleague, or a superior. They can use the word in formal business emails to schedule meetings or propose deadlines, employing appropriate keigo (honorific language) such as Next Sunday, would it be convenient for you? In casual conversations, they use the word effortlessly in fast-paced dialogue, employing colloquialisms and natural intonation. Their reading skills allow them to comprehend complex texts where Sunday might be mentioned in passing or as part of a broader narrative, such as in contemporary literature, opinion pieces, or detailed reports. They understand abbreviations and shorthand used in written Japanese, instantly recognizing the single kanji for sun enclosed in parentheses as a denotation for Sunday. Furthermore, B2 learners can articulate abstract thoughts and opinions related to the concept of Sunday, discussing topics like work-life balance, the commercialization of weekends, or the psychological impact of the impending work week. Their comprehensive mastery of the word allows them to navigate any social or professional situation with confidence and precision.

At the C1 advanced level, the learner's command of the word for Sunday is highly sophisticated, characterized by an exceptional degree of accuracy, fluency, and sociolinguistic nuance. They use the word not just as a functional marker of time, but as a conceptual anchor in complex discussions and debates. C1 learners can effortlessly comprehend and produce the word in highly formal, academic, or specialized contexts, such as legal documents, historical analyses, or sociological studies regarding labor laws and rest days in Japan. They are intimately familiar with the etymology of the word and its historical adoption during the Meiji period, allowing them to engage in deep cultural conversations. In literature and media, they can appreciate the symbolic or thematic use of Sunday, recognizing how authors or directors might use the day to represent respite, isolation, or the cyclical nature of modern life. Their spoken Japanese is characterized by native-like phrasing and idiomatic usage; they can easily employ expressions or proverbs related to time and days of the week. When writing, they can craft elegant, persuasive essays or reports that reference scheduling, societal habits, or economic trends related to weekend consumption. At this level, the word is fully integrated into the learner's expansive vocabulary network, allowing them to draw subtle distinctions and express complex ideas with clarity, elegance, and profound cultural understanding.

At the C2 mastery level, the learner's proficiency with the word for Sunday is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. They possess an exhaustive understanding of the word's linguistic properties, cultural resonance, and historical evolution. C2 learners can manipulate the word with absolute precision in any conceivable context, from the most rigorous academic discourse to the most nuanced literary analysis. They can critically examine the sociological implications of Sunday within the framework of Japanese capitalism, discussing how the concept of the weekend has evolved and how it impacts modern family dynamics and individual well-being. They are capable of reading classical or pre-modern texts that may reference different calendar systems, understanding how the modern seven-day week, and Sunday specifically, was superimposed onto older cultural rhythms. In creative writing or public speaking, they can use the word evocatively, employing advanced rhetorical devices to elicit specific emotional responses from their audience. Their understanding of register is flawless; they intuitively know exactly how to frame the word whether they are delivering a formal keynote address, negotiating a complex legal contract, or writing a poignant piece of poetry. For a C2 learner, the word for Sunday is not merely a vocabulary item; it is a multifaceted cultural artifact that they can examine, utilize, and articulate with unparalleled depth, sophistication, and native-level intuition.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

日曜日 en 30 secondes

Sunday is the primary day of rest in Japan, often spent with family, enjoying leisure activities, shopping, or simply relaxing at home before the new week.
The word uses the kanji for sun twice, making it visually distinct and relatively easy for beginners to memorize when learning the days of the week.
It is frequently followed by the particle 'ni' to indicate an action happening on Sunday, such as going to the park or meeting with friends.
In modern Japanese society, Sunday schedules often dictate television programming, public transportation timetables, and the operating hours of various commercial and recreational establishments.

The Japanese word for Sunday is an essential vocabulary item that every learner encounters early in their studies, representing the first day of the week in many standard calendars and serving as a universal marker for rest, leisure, and personal time. Understanding this word goes beyond mere translation; it involves recognizing its structural composition, historical adoption, and cultural significance within modern Japanese society. The word is composed of three kanji characters, each contributing to its overall meaning and pronunciation. The first character means sun or day, the second character means day of the week, and the third character again means sun or day, creating a literal translation of sun weekday or day of the sun. This repetition of the sun character makes it visually distinctive and relatively easy for beginners to memorize. In Japan, Sunday is universally recognized as a public day of rest, a concept introduced during the Meiji period when the country adopted the Gregorian calendar and the seven-day week system to align with Western international standards. Prior to this, Japan used a lunar calendar with different systems for designating rest days. Today, Sunday is the cornerstone of the Japanese weekend, a time when schools are closed, corporate offices are empty, and families gather to spend quality time together.

Linguistic Structure: The word is structured around the concept of celestial bodies, specifically the sun, which is a common theme in the names of the days of the week across many languages.

It is a day characterized by a slower pace of life in residential areas, while commercial districts, shopping malls, and entertainment venues experience their peak activity levels as people utilize their free time for shopping, dining out, and recreation.

Every week, we look forward to 日曜日 to relax and recharge.

The cultural weight of Sunday in Japan is immense, influencing television programming schedules, public transportation timetables, and even the operating hours of various services. For instance, many banks and government offices are closed, while retail stores may have extended hours to accommodate the influx of shoppers. Furthermore, Sunday holds a special place in the context of traditional and modern events; many local festivals, community gatherings, and sports tournaments are intentionally scheduled on this day to maximize attendance and participation.

Cultural Context: Sunday is the primary day for family outings, known as kazoku sabisu, where parents dedicate time to their children.

The psychological impact of Sunday is also notable, often associated with feelings of relaxation in the morning and a gradual onset of anticipation or mild anxiety in the evening as the new work or school week approaches, a phenomenon colloquially known in many cultures as the Sunday blues.

The park is always crowded on 日曜日.

In literature and media, Sunday is frequently depicted as a sanctuary of time, a brief respite from the rigorous demands of the Japanese work ethic. The word itself is highly versatile, functioning as a standard temporal noun that can be modified by various adjectives and demonstratives to specify particular instances, such as next Sunday, last Sunday, or every Sunday.

Usage Frequency: This is one of the most frequently used nouns in daily conversation, essential for making plans and discussing schedules.

Mastering this word is not just about memorizing its translation; it is about unlocking the ability to navigate social interactions, plan activities, and understand the temporal rhythm of Japanese society.

I will study Japanese this 日曜日.

Whether you are reading a train schedule, setting up a meeting with a friend, or simply talking about your weekend, this word will inevitably be a core component of your communication.

My favorite day of the week is 日曜日.

Therefore, dedicating time to fully grasp its pronunciation, kanji writing, and contextual usage is a fundamental step in achieving fluency and cultural competence in the Japanese language.

Let us meet again next 日曜日.

Using the word for Sunday in Japanese involves understanding its grammatical function as a temporal noun and the specific particles that accompany it to convey different meanings and nuances in a sentence. The most critical grammatical rule to remember is the use of the particle ni when indicating that an action or event takes place on Sunday. This particle acts similarly to the English prepositions on or at, anchoring the action to that specific point in time. For example, to say I will go to Tokyo on Sunday, you would attach the particle ni directly to the word, creating a clear and precise temporal context for the verb.

Particle Usage: The particle ni is essential for specific time references, though it can sometimes be omitted in casual speech.

However, it is important to note that in very casual, spoken Japanese, this particle is sometimes dropped, relying on context and intonation to convey the meaning, though learners are advised to use it consistently to ensure grammatical accuracy.

I have a piano lesson on 日曜日.

Beyond the particle ni, the word can also be used as the subject or topic of a sentence by attaching the particle wa or ga. For instance, if you want to state a general fact about Sunday, such as Sunday is a holiday, you would use the topic marker wa. Additionally, the word can be modified by various prefixes and adjectives to specify which Sunday you are referring to. Common modifiers include tsugi no for next, mae no or kono mae no for last or previous, and mai for every.

Time Modifiers: Adding prefixes like mai creates words like mainichi, but for Sunday, we say mainichiyoubi or simply mai-nichiyou.

When combining these modifiers, the resulting phrase provides a highly specific timeframe, which is crucial for making plans and scheduling appointments in both personal and professional contexts.

We always eat out on 日曜日.

Another important aspect of using this word is its role in compound nouns and phrases. For example, combining it with the word for morning, afternoon, or evening allows you to specify the exact part of the day, such as Sunday morning. In written Japanese, especially in formal documents, schedules, and calendars, the word is often abbreviated to just its first kanji character enclosed in parentheses. This abbreviation is universally understood and is a critical reading skill for navigating daily life in Japan, from checking store hours to reading train timetables.

Abbreviations: Look for the single kanji in parentheses on signs and schedules to quickly identify Sunday hours.

Furthermore, when listing multiple days of the week, you can connect them using the particle to, meaning and, or the particle ya, meaning and among other things.

The store is closed on Saturday and 日曜日.

Understanding these grammatical structures and common collocations will significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively and naturally.

Are you free this coming 日曜日?

Practice forming sentences with different verbs, particles, and modifiers to build confidence in your usage of this fundamental vocabulary word, ensuring that you can accurately convey your schedule and intentions in any situation.

I slept all day last 日曜日.

The word for Sunday is ubiquitous in Japanese daily life, echoing through various environments and contexts, from casual conversations among friends to formal announcements in public spaces. One of the most common places you will hear this word is in the workplace or at school, typically during discussions about upcoming plans, deadlines, or the anticipation of the weekend. Colleagues might ask each other about their weekend activities, using the word to inquire specifically about Sunday plans, fostering a sense of camaraderie and social bonding.

Workplace Conversations: Discussing weekend plans is a standard icebreaker and relationship-building tool in Japanese offices.

In educational settings, teachers frequently use the word when assigning homework that is due after the weekend or when reminding students of special events, club activities, or sports matches scheduled for the day of rest.

The school festival is this 日曜日.

Beyond interpersonal communication, the word is a staple in Japanese media and broadcasting. Television and radio announcers use it constantly when detailing programming schedules, promoting upcoming weekend specials, or delivering weather forecasts. The weather forecast for Sunday is particularly important to the public, as it dictates whether families can proceed with outdoor plans like picnics, amusement park visits, or hiking trips, making the word a focal point of attention.

Media Broadcasts: Weather reports often emphasize the weekend forecast, using the word prominently.

You will also encounter the word frequently in commercial environments. Retail store announcements, both audio and visual, often highlight special Sunday sales, promotions, or events designed to attract the large crowds of weekend shoppers.

Don't miss our big sale this 日曜日.

In the realm of public transportation, train station announcements and digital displays regularly use the word to indicate changes in service, such as the implementation of weekend timetables, which often feature different departure times and express train availability compared to weekdays. Furthermore, the word is prevalent in the hospitality and entertainment industries. Restaurants may advertise special Sunday brunch menus, while movie theaters, concert halls, and sports arenas heavily promote their Sunday schedules, recognizing it as the prime day for leisure consumption.

Entertainment Venues: Sunday is the most popular day for attending concerts, movies, and sporting events in Japan.

Even in digital spaces, such as social media platforms, messaging apps, and online forums, the word appears constantly as people share their weekend experiences, post photos of their Sunday outings, or coordinate future meetups with friends and followers.

I had a great time hiking this 日曜日.

In essence, wherever there is a discussion about time, scheduling, leisure, or social activities, you are guaranteed to hear or see this fundamental vocabulary word, making it an inescapable and vital part of the Japanese linguistic landscape.

I am looking forward to 日曜日 so much.

By paying attention to these various contexts, learners can deepen their understanding of how the word functions dynamically in real-world situations, moving beyond textbook definitions to practical, everyday usage.

What are your plans for 日曜日?

While the word for Sunday is introduced early in Japanese language learning, students frequently make several common mistakes regarding its pronunciation, grammatical integration, and contextual usage. One of the most prevalent errors involves pronunciation, specifically the misarticulation of the first syllable. Because the kanji for sun can be read in multiple ways depending on the compound word, learners sometimes incorrectly apply the reading nitsu or nichi with a strong pause, leading to an unnatural sound. The correct pronunciation flows smoothly as nichiyoubi, without a glottal stop or geminate consonant.

Pronunciation Error: Avoid saying nit-tsu-you-bi; ensure the chi sound is clear and connects smoothly to the following syllable.

Another frequent mistake is the omission or incorrect application of particles when using the word in a sentence. As a specific point in time, it generally requires the particle ni to indicate when an action occurs. Learners often translate directly from English, where we say on Sunday, and might mistakenly use particles like de or completely omit the particle in formal writing where it is required.

Incorrect: 日曜日行きます。 Correct: 日曜日に行きます。

Conversely, a mistake occurs when learners over-apply the particle ni in situations where it is not needed, such as when the word is the subject of the sentence or when using relative time expressions like every Sunday, which typically do not take the ni particle. Furthermore, confusion often arises when learners try to specify which Sunday they are referring to. Using English logic, a learner might say kono nichiyoubi to mean this Sunday, which is understandable but less natural than saying tsugi no nichiyoubi for the upcoming Sunday or kono mae no nichiyoubi for the previous one.

Relative Time: Mastering the modifiers for next, last, and every is crucial for avoiding scheduling misunderstandings.

Another area of difficulty is kanji writing. Because the character for sun appears twice in the word, beginners sometimes rush and write the characters incorrectly or confuse the middle character, you, which has a complex stroke order and multiple radicals.

Practice writing 日曜日 carefully to master the complex middle kanji.

In terms of register and politeness, learners sometimes fail to match the formality of their sentence when discussing weekend plans. While the word itself is neutral, the surrounding verbs and structures must align with the social context, whether speaking to a boss or a close friend. Lastly, learners occasionally confuse Sunday with other days of the week, particularly Monday, due to the sheer volume of new vocabulary encountered early on. Creating strong mnemonic associations for each day is vital to overcome this hurdle.

Vocabulary Confusion: Associate the sun kanji with the sun shining on your day off to remember it means Sunday.

By being aware of these common pitfalls—ranging from pronunciation nuances and particle placement to kanji accuracy and relative time expressions—students can consciously refine their usage, leading to more natural, accurate, and confident communication in Japanese.

I will not make a mistake when saying 日曜日 anymore.

Consistent practice, careful listening to native speakers, and targeted writing exercises are the best methods for eliminating these errors and solidifying this foundational word in your active vocabulary.

My teacher corrected my use of 日曜日 today.

Now I can confidently schedule meetings for 日曜日.

When expanding your Japanese vocabulary around the concept of time, rest, and scheduling, you will encounter several words that are similar to or related to Sunday, each carrying its own specific nuance and appropriate context for use. The most immediate related term is the word for weekend, shumatsu. While Sunday is a specific day, shumatsu encompasses both Saturday and Sunday, making it the preferred term when discussing general plans that span the entire two-day period of rest.

Weekend vs. Sunday: Use shumatsu for general weekend plans, and nichiyoubi when an event happens specifically on Sunday.

Another highly relevant word is kyujitsu, which translates to holiday or day off. This term is broader than Sunday; it can refer to any day when one does not have to work or attend school, including national holidays, personal vacation days, or standard weekends.

Sunday is my favorite 日曜日 of the week.

In professional or formal contexts, you might hear the term yasumi, which simply means rest, absence, or day off. While Sunday is inherently a yasumi for most people, using the word yasumi emphasizes the state of not working rather than the specific calendar day. Furthermore, the word shukujitsu refers specifically to public or national holidays established by the government. Sometimes, a public holiday falls on a Sunday, leading to a system in Japan called furikae kyujitsu, or substitute holiday, where the following Monday becomes a day off to compensate.

Public Holidays: When a shukujitsu lands on a Sunday, Monday becomes a substitute holiday.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurate communication, especially in a work environment where clarifying whether a day off is a standard weekend, a personal leave, or a national holiday is important for scheduling and payroll.

I have a lot of free time this 日曜日.

Additionally, learners should be aware of the other days of the week, as they share the same youbi suffix, making them structurally similar. Monday is getsuyoubi, Tuesday is kayoubi, Wednesday is suiyoubi, Thursday is mokuyoubi, Friday is kinyoubi, and Saturday is doyoubi. The repetition of the youbi suffix creates a rhythmic pattern that aids in memorization, but it also requires careful attention to the first kanji to avoid mixing them up.

Days of the Week: All seven days end in youbi, meaning day of the week.

By familiarizing yourself with this network of related vocabulary—shumatsu, kyujitsu, yasumi, shukujitsu, and the other days of the week—you build a robust linguistic framework that allows you to discuss time, schedules, and leisure with precision and nuance.

I prefer Saturday over 日曜日 because I can sleep in the next day.

This comprehensive understanding prevents misunderstandings and demonstrates a higher level of cultural and linguistic competence, enabling smoother interactions in both casual social settings and formal professional environments.

Let us compare schedules for next 日曜日.

I will rest well this 日曜日.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

日曜日は休みです。

Sunday is a day off.

Use wa to mark Sunday as the topic.

日曜日に海へ行きます。

I will go to the sea on Sunday.

Use ni to indicate the specific time of the action.

今日は日曜日です。

Today is Sunday.

Simple A is B sentence structure.

日曜日に勉強します。

I study on Sunday.

Basic verb usage with time particle.

次の日曜日は暇ですか。

Are you free next Sunday?

Tsugi no means next.

日曜日は何曜日ですか。

What day is Sunday? (Contextual learning)

Question formulation.

日曜日に友達と遊びます。

I will play with my friend on Sunday.

Use to for 'with'.

日曜日は楽しいです。

Sunday is fun.

Adjective usage with topic marker.

この前の日曜日に映画を見ました。

I watched a movie last Sunday.

Kono mae no means last/previous.

毎週日曜日にテニスをします。

I play tennis every Sunday.

Maishuu means every week.

日曜日の朝はいつも遅く起きます。

I always wake up late on Sunday mornings.

Combine Sunday and morning with no.

日曜日は雨が降るかもしれません。

It might rain on Sunday.

Kamoshiremasen means might.

日曜日に買い物に行きたいです。

I want to go shopping on Sunday.

Tai form expresses desire.

日曜日はどこも人が多いです。

Everywhere is crowded on Sundays.

Dokomo means everywhere.

日曜日に宿題を終わらせるつもりです。

I plan to finish my homework on Sunday.

Tsumori expresses intention.

日曜日から旅行に行きます。

I will go on a trip starting Sunday.

Kara means from.

日曜日は天気が良さそうなので、ハイキングに行こうと思います。

Since the weather looks good on Sunday, I think I will go hiking.

Sou and node for appearance and reason.

日曜日に働くのはあまり好きではありません。

I don't really like working on Sundays.

Nominalizing verb with no.

次の日曜日に、新しいレストランがオープンするらしいです。

I heard a new restaurant is opening next Sunday.

Rashii for hearsay.

日曜日は家族と過ごすために、仕事をしないようにしています。

I try not to work on Sundays in order to spend time with my family.

Tame ni for purpose, you ni shite iru for effort.

もし日曜日が晴れたら、バーベキューをしましょう。

If it is sunny on Sunday, let's have a barbecue.

Tara conditional form.

日曜日の夜になると、明日からの仕事が憂鬱になります。

When Sunday night comes, I get depressed about work starting tomorrow.

To conditional for inevitable results.

日曜日に掃除をしておけば、平日は楽になります。

If you do the cleaning on Sunday in advance, weekdays will be easier.

Te oku for preparation, ba conditional.

彼は日曜日にもかかわらず、会社に行きました。

Despite it being Sunday, he went to the office.

Ni mo kakawarazu means despite.

日曜日に開催されるイベントの準備で、今週はとても忙しい。

I am very busy this week with preparations for the event being held on Sunday.

Passive verb modifying a noun.

日本では、日曜日を家族サービスの日と考える人が多い。

In Japan, many people consider Sunday to be a day for 'family service'.

To kangaeru for expressing opinion.

日曜日の過ごし方によって、翌週の仕事のパフォーマンスが変わると言われている。

It is said that your work performance the following week changes depending on how you spend your Sunday.

Ni yotte means depending on.

せっかくの日曜日なのに、風邪をひいて一日中寝てしまった。

Even though it was a precious Sunday, I caught a cold and ended up sleeping all day.

Sekkaku no means precious/long-awaited.

日曜日の午後特有の、あののんびりとした雰囲気が好きです。

I like that relaxed atmosphere peculiar to Sunday afternoons.

Tokuyuu no means peculiar to.

来週の日曜日までに、この報告書を提出しなければなりません。

I must submit this report by next Sunday.

Made ni means by (a deadline).

日曜日は交通機関が休日ダイヤになるため、注意が必要です。

Caution is required because public transportation operates on a holiday schedule on Sundays.

Tame indicates formal reason.

彼は日曜日であろうと関係なく、毎日研究室に通っている。

Regardless of whether it is Sunday or not, he goes to the laboratory every day.

De arou to kankei naku means regardless of.

現代社会において、日曜日という安息日の概念は徐々に薄れつつある。

In modern society, the concept of Sunday as a day of rest is gradually fading.

Tsutsu aru indicates an ongoing gradual change.

日曜日の夕暮れ時に感じる一抹の寂しさは、多くの現代人が共有する感情だ。

The tinge of loneliness felt at dusk on Sunday is an emotion shared by many modern people.

Ichimatsu no means a tinge of.

労働基準法により、原則として日曜日を法定休日と定める企業が多い。

Under the Labor Standards Act, many companies designate Sunday as the statutory holiday in principle.

Ni yori means according to/due to.

日曜日の歩行者天国は、都市の活気を象徴する光景の一つである。

The pedestrian paradise on Sundays is one of the sights that symbolize the vitality of the city.

De aru is a formal copula.

彼にとって日曜日は、日常の喧騒から離れ、自己と対話するための神聖な時間なのだ。

For him, Sunday is a sacred time to step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and converse with himself.

Ni totte means for/to (someone).

日曜版の新聞には、平日とは異なる深掘りした特集記事が掲載される傾向がある。

The Sunday edition of the newspaper tends to feature in-depth special articles different from the weekdays.

Keikou ga aru means tends to.

日曜大工という言葉が示すように、休日は趣味やDIYに没頭する絶好の機会である。

As the term 'Sunday carpenter' suggests, holidays are a perfect opportunity to immerse oneself in hobbies and DIY.

Ga shimesu you ni means as indicated by.

いかなる緊急事態であれ、日曜日の深夜に連絡をしてくるのは非常識極まりない。

No matter what the emergency, contacting someone late at night on a Sunday is the height of a lack of common sense.

Kiwamarinai means the utmost/height of.

かつて宗教的な意味合いを強く帯びていた日曜日は、世俗化の波に呑まれ、単なる消費活動のサイクルへと変容を遂げた。

Highly academic and sociological vocabulary.

サザエさん症候群に代表されるように、日曜日の終焉は日本人の精神構造に特有の憂鬱をもたらす。

Cultural reference to a specific phenomenon.

明治改暦に伴う七曜制の導入は、日本人の時間意識を根本から覆し、日曜日という新たな時間的区切りを創出した。

Historical and etymological context.

彼は日曜日の静寂をこよなく愛し、その時間だけは外界との一切の接触を断つことを己の矜持としていた。

Literary and expressive language.

グローバル化が進む中、日曜日を基準とした労働慣行は、多様な価値観を持つ労働者に対する配慮を欠いているとの指摘もある。

Formal argumentative structure.

日曜日の朝の光が障子越しに差し込む様は、日本の伝統的な美意識を体現しているかのようだ。

Poetic and descriptive imagery.

政治家たちは、日曜日の街頭演説を通じて、浮動票の取り込みに躍起になっていた。

Political and journalistic vocabulary.

日曜日の特売チラシが新聞に折り込まれるというシステムは、日本の小売業界における長年の商慣習である。

Business and economic context.

Collocations courantes

日曜日に

次の日曜日

前の日曜日

毎週日曜日

日曜日の朝

日曜日の午後

日曜日の夜

日曜日が休み

日曜日を過ごす

日曜版

Phrases Courantes

日曜日は休みです

日曜日に会いましょう

良い日曜日を

日曜大工

サザエさん症候群

日曜日の礼拝

日曜日の予定

日曜日が待ち遠しい

日曜日のテレビ番組

日曜日の天気

Souvent confondu avec

日曜日 vs 月曜日 (Monday)

日曜日 vs 土曜日 (Saturday)

日曜日 vs 週末 (Weekend)

Expressions idiomatiques

Facile à confondre

日曜日 vs

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

note

Extremely common, essential for daily life.

Erreurs courantes

Saying nitsuyoubi instead of nichiyoubi.
Forgetting the particle ni when scheduling an event.
Using particle ni with mainichiyoubi.
Writing the middle kanji incorrectly.
Confusing Sunday with Monday (getsuyoubi).

Astuces

Particle 'ni'

Always use 'ni' for specific actions on Sunday.

Clear 'chi'

Avoid a glottal stop; say ni-chi-yo-u-bi smoothly.

Kanji Practice

Practice the middle kanji 'you' as it is complex.

Family Day

Remember Sunday is the main family day in Japan.

Modifiers

Learn 'tsugi no' (next) and 'mae no' (last).

Abbreviations

Look for (日) on signs to quickly spot Sunday hours.

Weather Reports

Listen for Sunday forecasts on the evening news.

Making Plans

Use Sunday to practice inviting friends out.

Sun Bookends

The kanji for sun is at the start and end.

Topic vs Time

Know when to use 'wa' vs 'ni'.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of the SUN shining brightly on your DAY OFF. Sun + Day of week + Sun = Sunday.

Origine du mot

Adopted during the Meiji period calendar reform.

Contexte culturel

Sunday is the peak day for domestic tourism and local events in Japan.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"日曜日は何をする予定ですか？"

"先週の日曜日はどこに行きましたか？"

"日曜日の朝は何時に起きますか？"

"日曜日と土曜日、どちらが好きですか？"

"日曜日に一番したいことは何ですか？"

Sujets d'écriture

Write about your ideal Sunday.

Describe what you did last Sunday.

Explain why Sunday is important to you.

Compare Sundays in Japan to your country.

List five things you want to do next Sunday.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Not always. You use 'ni' when Sunday is the specific time an action occurs (e.g., I will go on Sunday). However, if Sunday is the topic of the sentence (e.g., Sunday is a holiday), you use 'wa'. Also, relative time expressions like 'every Sunday' do not take 'ni'.

You say 'tsugi no nichiyoubi'. The word 'tsugi' means next, and the particle 'no' connects it to Sunday. This is the most natural and common way to refer to the upcoming Sunday in Japanese.

It is pronounced 'nichiyoubi'. The first kanji is read as 'nichi', not 'nitsu'. Make sure to pronounce the 'chi' sound clearly without pausing or creating a double consonant sound before the 'yo'.

The abbreviation is just the first kanji, 日 (sun/day), often enclosed in parentheses like this: (日). You will see this on store signs, train schedules, and printed calendars to save space.

You say 'nichiyoubi no asa'. You connect the word for Sunday (nichiyoubi) and the word for morning (asa) using the possessive/descriptive particle 'no'.

It is a cultural term referring to the mild depression or anxiety people feel on Sunday evening as the weekend ends. It is named after 'Sazaesan', a popular family anime that airs every Sunday at 6:30 PM, signaling that the weekend is almost over.

Generally, no. Most retail shops, malls, and restaurants are open and very busy on Sundays. However, banks, post offices, and government buildings are typically closed.

You can ask 'Nichiyoubi wa hima desu ka?' which translates to 'Are you free on Sunday?'. If you want to be more polite, you can say 'Nichiyoubi wa o-jikan arimasu ka?' (Do you have time on Sunday?).

While you can write it in hiragana as にちようび, it is strongly recommended to use the kanji 日曜日. The kanji is standard and expected in almost all written contexts, from casual texts to formal documents.

It translates to 'family service' and refers to the practice of parents, usually fathers, spending their Sunday off taking their children out to play or spending quality time with the family, often seen as a duty or dedicated effort.