Days of the Week: The 7 Elements (Yōbi)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Japanese days of the week end in {曜日|ようび} and are based on the five elements plus the sun and moon.
- All days end with the suffix {曜日|ようび}.
- The prefix corresponds to the Sun, Moon, or one of the five elements.
- Use the particle {は|は} to mark the day as the topic of your sentence.
Overview
Japanese days of the week, collectively known as yōbi 曜日, offer a uniquely structured approach to temporal nomenclature. Unlike the often arbitrary or deity-derived names in many Western languages, the Japanese system is deeply logical, linking each day to one of the Seven Luminaries (七曜 Shichiyō). These celestial bodies — the Sun, Moon, and the five classical planets (Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn) — form the bedrock of the week's naming convention.
This system is a direct descendant of ancient astrological and calendrical traditions, originating in Mesopotamia, traveling through India and China, and eventually reaching Japan.
The profound insight for learners lies in understanding this etymological framework. Each luminary was historically associated with a specific element, creating a coherent pattern for the week's names. For example, Mars is linked to fire, and the kanji for fire is 火 (hi).
This directly informs 火曜日 (Kayōbi), or Tuesday. This internal logic means that memorizing the days of the week transcends rote learning; you are engaging with a systematic and culturally embedded pattern. By grasping the etymological underpinnings of yōbi, you gain not only functional vocabulary but also a window into the historical and cultural influences that shape the Japanese language, fostering a more intuitive and durable learning process.
How This Grammar Works
[Element/Luminary Kanji] + 曜日. The suffix 曜日 remains unchanged across all seven days, functioning as a definitive classifier that signifies "day of the week." This suffix is a compound itself: 曜 (yō) translates to "luminary" or "shining body," directly referencing its astronomical roots, while 日 (bi) denotes "day." The invariant nature of this two-kanji suffix simplifies the learning process; your primary task is to recognize and recall the single kanji that precedes it for each specific day.月曜日 (Getsuyōbi), which literally means "Moon Day." Here, 月 (getsu) is the on'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading) for "moon" when used in compounds. Similarly, 水曜日 (Suiyōbi) translates to "Water Day," with 水 (sui) signifying "water." This consistency of 曜日 as a trailing element ensures that once you identify the initial kanji, you unambiguously understand you are referring to a day of the week. This structural regularity reduces potential ambiguity and reinforces the inherent pattern, establishing yōbi as a foundational concept for discussing schedules and temporal events.明日 は 何曜日 ですか。(Ashita wa nan-yōbi desu ka?) - "What day of the week is tomorrow?"今日 は 水曜日 です。(Kyō wa Suiyōbi desu.) - "Today is Wednesday."
Formation Pattern
曜日. The standard sequence of these days, beginning with Sunday, mirrors many Western calendar conventions, a reflection of shared calendrical history. This table provides a detailed breakdown of each day, its associated element or luminary, the specific kanji, its formal on'yomi reading, and notes on typical pitch accent patterns.
On'yomi | Pitch Accent | Notes |
Nichiyōbi | Sun (日) | nichi | NI-chiyōbi (H-L-L-L) | The 日 here means "sun" or "day." This day typically marks the start of the week on Japanese calendars. |
Getsuyōbi | Moon (月) | getsu | GE-tsuyōbi (H-L-L-L) | The 月 kanji specifically represents the moon. This is its on'yomi reading in compounds. |
Kayōbi | Fire (火) | ka | KA-yōbi (H-L-L-L) | 火 for fire. Historically associated with Mars, often called the "fire planet." |
Suiyōbi | Water (水) | sui | SU-iyōbi (H-L-L-L) | 水 for water. Connected to Mercury, sometimes referred to as the "water planet" in ancient lore. |
Mokuyōbi | Wood/Tree (木) | moku | MO-kuyōbi (H-L-L-L) | 木 for wood or tree. Associated with Jupiter, often seen as a protective, growth-oriented celestial body. |
Kinyōbi | Gold/Metal (金) | kin | KI-nyōbi (H-L-L-L) | 金 for gold or metal. Linked to Venus, the shining, golden planet. |
Doyōbi | Earth/Soil (土) | do | DO-yōbi (H-L-L-L) | 土 for earth or soil. Associated with Saturn, a distant, earthy planet.
び component of 曜日 is frequently omitted. This results in abbreviated forms such as 月曜 (Getsuyō) for Monday or 金曜 (Kinyō) for Friday. These shortened forms maintain clarity in casual conversations. Furthermore, in informal written contexts like text messages, digital calendars, or personal schedules, it is very common to see even further abbreviations, using only the initial kanji (e.g., {月} for Monday, {火} for Tuesday). While efficient for visual shorthand, these single-kanji abbreviations are generally not used in spoken language to refer to the full day name.
会議 は 来週 の 水曜 です。 (Kaigi wa raishū no Suiyō desu.) - "The meeting is next Wednesday." (Casual shortening in speech)
〇月〇日 ({土}) (Marugatsu Marunichi (Do)) - "Month/Day (Saturday)" (Single kanji abbreviation, typically written)
何曜日 (nan-yōbi). This phrase literally asks "what luminary day." As with most Japanese questions, the particle か is typically appended at the end to indicate a query.
来週 の イベント は 何曜日 ですか。 (Raishū no ibento wa nan-yōbi desu ka?) - "What day of the week is next week's event?"
When To Use It
に to specify the temporal context of an event. Understanding these nuances allows for precise communication of when actions occur.に:に is typically attached directly after the day. This particle explicitly designates the day as the specific point in time for the action, akin to "on" in English. This usage is a consistent marker of temporal specificity in Japanese sentences.私 は 毎週 月曜日に ジム に 行きます。(Watashi wa maishū Getsuyōbi ni jimu ni ikimasu.) - "I go to the gym every Monday."彼 は 金曜日に レポート を 提出しました。(Kare wa Kinyōbi ni repōto o teishutsu shimashita.) - "He submitted the report on Friday."予約 は 再来週 の 火曜日に 変更されました。(Yoyaku wa saraishū no Kayōbi ni henkō saremashita.) - "The reservation was changed to the Tuesday after next."
に for General Time Markers or Proximity:に is often omitted when the day of the week functions as a general time marker rather than emphasizing a precise point, or when combined with words that already convey temporal scope or repetition. These words include "every" (maishū 毎週), "this" (konshū 今週), "next" (raishū 来週), or "last" (senshū 先週). In such cases, the inherent temporal information provided by these prefixes or adverbs makes the additional specificity of に redundant.今週 の 土曜日 は 用事 があります。(Konshū no Doyōbi wa yōji ga arimasu.) - "I have plans this Saturday." (Here,konshūalready specifies "this week's," makingniunnecessary.)来週 月曜日、会議 が 始まります。(Raishū Getsuyōbi, kaigi ga hajimarimasu.) - "Next Monday, the meeting will start." (Raishūprovides sufficient temporal context.)毎週 日曜日 は 家族 と 過ごします。(Maishū Nichiyōbi wa kazoku to sugoshimasu.) - "I spend every Sunday with my family." (Maishūalready indicates repetition, renderingnisuperfluous.)
何曜日 for Questions:何曜日 is the standard interrogative used to ask "What day of the week?" It specifically probes for one of the seven days, distinguishing it from questions about specific dates or months.パーティー は 何曜日 ですか。(Pātī wa nan-yōbi desu ka?) - "What day of the week is the party?"
(月), (火)). This highly efficient visual shorthand assumes the reader's familiarity with the convention.営業日: (月)~(金) (Eigyōbi: (Getsu) ~ (Kin)) meaning "Business days: Monday to Friday."診療時間: ({水}) 休診(Shinryō jikan: (Sui) Kyūshin) - "Consultation hours: (Wednesday) Closed."
Common Mistakes
火曜日 (Tuesday) and 木曜日 (Thursday):火 (fire) and 木 (wood/tree) bear a superficial resemblance, especially in less clear fonts or handwritten contexts. Both also share an on'yomi beginning with a 'K' sound for their initial syllable. The critical distinction lies in their form and stroke count. 火 (fire) has four strokes and often appears more open or dynamic, evoking flames. In contrast, 木 (wood/tree) also has four strokes but features a clear central vertical stroke with a horizontal line crossing its top, visually representing a tree trunk with branches. A useful mnemonic is that Kayōbi (Fire) precedes Mokuyōbi (Wood) in the week, and metaphorically, "fire consumes wood." Furthermore, visually isolating the distinct shapes of 火 as a flame and 木 as a tree trunk can solidify their recognition.に with Relative Time Words:に is that it generally does not attach to words that inherently define a temporal window or repetition. These include relative time expressions such as 今日 (kyō, today), 明日 (ashita, tomorrow), 昨日 (kinō, yesterday), 今週 (konshū, this week), 来月 (raigetsu, next month), or 毎週 (maishū, every week). Using に with these terms is grammatically redundant and sounds unnatural to native speakers because these words already provide sufficient temporal context.- Incorrect:
明日に買い物 に 行きます。(Ashita ni kaimono ni ikimasu.) - Correct:
明日 買い物 に 行きます。(Ashita kaimono ni ikimasu.) - "I'll go shopping tomorrow."
Getsuyōbi, Kinyōbi) do take に when marking the time of an event. This distinction between specific days and broader, relative temporal expressions is essential for accurate particle usage.何曜日 (nan-yōbi) with 何日 (nan-nichi) or 何月 (nan-gatsu):何曜日 specifically asks "What day of the week?" (expecting an answer like Monday, Tuesday). In contrast, 何日 asks "What date?" or "What day of the month?" (expecting a numeric date, e.g., the 1st, the 15th), and 何月 asks "What month?" Using the wrong interrogative demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the desired information.- If you ask
今日 は 何日 ですか。(Kyō wa nan-nichi desu ka?), the appropriate answer is a date (e.g.,二十日(hatsuka), the 20th), not a day of the week. Pay close attention to the difference betweenyōinyōbiandnichiinnannichi.
日曜日:日曜日 (Nichiyōbi) is sometimes mispronounced by learners who might elide the chi sound or shorten the long ō vowel. The correct pronunciation maintains distinct syllables with the correct pitch: Ni-chi-yō-bi (High-Low-Low-Low). The long ō sound is critical, and articulating the chi clearly is important. Active listening to native speakers helps internalize the natural rhythm and pitch.{月} for Monday are perfectly acceptable and common in written schedules or text messages, their use in formal spoken Japanese or in situations demanding full clarity and politeness is inappropriate. In such contexts, consistently use the full form 月曜日 or at least the slightly shortened 月曜. Employing single-kanji abbreviations in formal speech can convey an impression of excessive informality or even disrespect.Real Conversations
Beyond textbook examples, understanding how yōbi is used in authentic, modern Japanese communication reveals its flexibility. Native speakers adapt these terms for efficiency and context, seamlessly shifting between formal and informal usage depending on the situation and interlocutor.
1. Casual Shortening for Brevity:
One of the most common spoken adaptations involves dropping the final び from 曜日. This yields forms like 月曜 (Getsuyō), 火曜 (Kayō), and so forth. These shortened forms are widely accepted in casual conversation among friends, family, or colleagues in relaxed settings where mutual understanding is assumed. It streamlines speech without sacrificing clarity.
- 今週 の 金曜 に 飲みに 行かない? (Konshū no Kinyō ni nomi ni ikanai?) - "Want to go for drinks this Friday?" (This is a common casual invitation, using the shortened form.)
- 来週 の 水曜 は 空いてる? (Raishū no Suiyō wa aiteru?) - "Are you free next Wednesday?" (A direct, casual inquiry about availability.)
2. Texting and Social Media Shorthand:
In digital written communication, particularly text messages and social media posts, even more extreme abbreviations are customary and expected. Often, only the initial kanji for the day is used. Sometimes it stands alone, and other times it may be accompanied by a single parenthesis (e.g., {月)}). This highly efficient visual shorthand is readily understood due to context and reflects a broader trend toward conciseness in digital interactions.
- 会議 ({木}) 10:00~ (Kaigi (Moku) 10:00~) - "Meeting (Thursday) 10:00~" (A typical shorthand for a meeting reminder in a message.)
- 今日 の シフト、({土}) と ({日}) は 誰 か 代わってくれる 人 いるかなー? (Kyō no shifuto, (Do) to (Nichi) wa dare ka kawatte kureru hito iru kana~?) - "For today's shift, (for) Saturday and Sunday, is there anyone who can cover?" (A very casual inquiry in a chat, using single kanji abbreviations for multiple days.)
3. Scheduling and Confirmation in Different Registers:
When arranging or confirming plans, the choice between full and shortened forms, and thus the level of formality, depends on the social context. In business environments or formal interactions, the full 曜日 form is generally preferred to ensure utmost clarity and avoid any impression of informality that might be deemed inappropriate.
- 佐藤さん、来週 の 火曜日、打ち 合わせ は 可能 でしょうか。 (Satō-san, raishū no Kayōbi, uchi awase wa kanō deshō ka?) - "Mr./Ms. Satō, would a meeting next Tuesday be possible?" (Appropriate for a formal work email or conversation, using the full form.)
- 集合時間 は 土曜 の 13 時 です。 (Shūgō jikan wa Doyō no 13-ji desu.) - "The meeting time is Saturday at 1 PM." (This uses the slightly shortened Doyō, acceptable among colleagues or peers where a degree of familiarity exists.)
These examples underscore the dynamic nature of yōbi usage. Your ability to recognize and appropriately employ these variations will significantly enhance your capacity to interact naturally and effectively with Japanese speakers in a diverse range of real-world scenarios.
Quick FAQ
yōbi and other related temporal expressions, providing clarifying details and nuanced insights into their usage.Calendars in Japan commonly display Sunday (日曜日) as the first day of the week. This convention aligns with traditional Western and various international calendar standards primarily for visual layout purposes. It is a standard way to organize a calendar grid. The concept of the "weekend" (週末, literally "week's end") remains Saturday and Sunday, signifying non-working days for most industries and individuals, regardless of the calendar's designated start day. Some business-oriented calendars might begin with Monday to emphasize the start of the work week, but this does not alter the underlying calendrical tradition.
yōbi differ from other "day" words like 日 (hi) or 日 (ka)?曜日 specifically refers to the seven-day cycle of the week (e.g., Monday, Tuesday). In contrast, 日 (hi or ka depending on context) is a more general term for "day," "sun," or a specific day within a date. For instance, 休日 (kyūjitsu, holiday) utilizes the kanji 日 (jitsu) for day, and 何日 (nan-nichi) for "what date" uses 日 (nichi). Thus, while yōbi incorporates {日} as part of its suffix, the complete compound distinguishes it from general or date-specific references to "day." For example, "Mother's Day" is 母の日 (Haha no hi), where 日 designates a particular, annually occurring named day, not a recurring day of the week.
Yes, the standard and universally understood term is 週末 (shūmatsu). This literally translates to "week's end," derived from 週 (week) and 末 (end). It is frequently used in phrases such as 週末 の 予定 (shūmatsu no yotei, weekend plans) or 良い 週末 を! (Yoi shūmatsu o!, Have a good weekend!). This term is appropriate and common in both formal and informal communication.
に particle with 週末?Yes, you can. The construction 週末 に is both common and grammatically correct, functioning similarly to how に is used with specific days of the week. For example, 週末 に 旅行 に 行きます。 (Shūmatsu ni ryokō ni ikimasu.) - "I will go on a trip on the weekend." However, mirroring the rule for specific days, if 週末 is combined with other temporal qualifiers like この (kono, this) or 来 (rai, next), the に particle is often omitted. For example, この 週末 (kono shūmatsu, this weekend) frequently does not take ni because kono already specifies the temporal proximity.
毎日?While 毎日 (mainichi) is the most common, direct, and natural word for "every day," conceptually you could construct phrases using other grammar. However, for expressing regular, daily occurrences, 毎日 is almost universally preferred due to its conciseness and naturalness. It inherently covers the concept of "every day of the week" without needing a specific yōbi construction. Attempting to build alternatives using yōbi would generally sound clunky and unnatural compared to the efficiency of mainichi.
Absolutely. The five elements (火 hi/fire, 水 mizu/water, 木 ki/wood, 金 kane/metal, 土 tsuchi/earth) are fundamental concepts in many facets of Japanese culture and language, stemming from the ancient Chinese Five Elements theory (五行 Gogyō). You will encounter these elements in various compound words, place names, personal names, and traditional arts. This pervasive presence reinforces the interconnectedness of yōbi with broader linguistic and cultural patterns. Understanding this elemental system provides a deeper appreciation for the logical underpinnings present throughout the Japanese language.
Days of the Week
| Day | Kanji | Reading |
|---|---|---|
|
Monday
|
{月曜日|げつようび}
|
Getsuyōbi
|
|
Tuesday
|
{火曜日|かようび}
|
Kayōbi
|
|
Wednesday
|
{水曜日|すいようび}
|
Suiyōbi
|
|
Thursday
|
{木曜日|もくようび}
|
Mokuyōbi
|
|
Friday
|
{金曜日|きんようび}
|
Kinyōbi
|
|
Saturday
|
{土曜日|どようび}
|
Doyōbi
|
|
Sunday
|
{日曜日|にちようび}
|
Nichiyōbi
|
Meanings
The system used to identify the seven days of the week, derived from celestial bodies and elements.
Naming Days
Identifying a specific day of the week.
“{今日|きょう}は{火曜日|かようび}です。”
“{明日|あした}は{水曜日|すいようび}です。”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Day + {は|は} + {です|です}
|
{今日|きょう}は{月曜日|げつようび}です。
|
|
Negative
|
Day + {は|は} + {じゃありません|じゃありません}
|
{今日|きょう}は{月曜日|げつようび}じゃありません。
|
|
Question
|
Day + {は|は} + {何曜日|なんようび}ですか?
|
{明日|あした}は{何曜日|なんようび}ですか?
|
|
Past
|
Day + {は|は} + {でした|でした}
|
{昨日|きのう}は{日曜日|にちようび}でした。
|
Formality Spectrum
{今日|きょう}は{何曜日|なんようび}でいらっしゃいますか? (Asking for the day)
{今日|きょう}は{何曜日|なんようび}ですか? (Asking for the day)
{今日|きょう}、{何曜日|なんようび}? (Asking for the day)
{今日|きょう}、{何|なん}ようび? (Asking for the day)
The Seven Luminaries
Elements
- {火|か} Fire
- {水|すい} Water
- {木|もく} Wood
- {金|きん} Metal
- {土|ど} Earth
Sky
- {日|にち} Sun
- {月|げつ} Moon
Examples by Level
{月曜日|げつようび}です。
It is Monday.
{今日|きょう}は{日曜日|にちようび}です。
Today is Sunday.
{金曜日|きんようび}です。
It is Friday.
{水曜日|すいようび}です。
It is Wednesday.
{明日|あした}は{何曜日|なんようび}ですか?
What day is tomorrow?
{火曜日|かようび}に{会|あ}いましょう。
Let's meet on Tuesday.
{木曜日|もくようび}は{忙|いそが}しいです。
Thursday is busy.
{土曜日|どようび}は{休|やす}みです。
Saturday is a day off.
{毎週|まいしゅう}{水曜日|すいようび}に{日本語|にほんご}の{クラス|くらす}があります。
I have a Japanese class every Wednesday.
{来週|らいしゅう}の{月曜日|げつようび}は{祝日|しゅくじつ}です。
Next Monday is a public holiday.
{金曜日|きんようび}の{夜|よる}は{映画|えいが}を{見|み}ます。
I will watch a movie on Friday night.
{日曜日|にちようび}は{家|いえ}でゆっくりします。
I will relax at home on Sunday.
{会議|かいぎ}の{日程|にってい}を{木曜日|もくようび}に{変更|へんこう}してもいいですか?
Can we change the meeting schedule to Thursday?
{土曜日|どようび}の{午前中|ごぜんちゅう}は{混雑|こんざつ}します。
It gets crowded on Saturday morning.
{火曜日|かようび}までに{報告書|ほうこくしょ}を{出|だ}してください。
Please submit the report by Tuesday.
{水曜日|すいようび}の{予定|よてい}を{確認|かくにん}します。
I will confirm the Wednesday schedule.
{金曜日|きんようび}の{夕方|ゆうがた}から{週末|しゅうまつ}の{雰囲気|ふんいき}が{漂|ただよ}い{始|はじ}めます。
The weekend atmosphere starts to drift in from Friday evening.
{月曜日|げつようび}の{憂鬱|ゆううつ}さを{解消|かいしょう}する{方法|ほうほう}を{探|さが}しています。
I am looking for a way to resolve Monday blues.
{木曜日|もくようび}は{週|しゅう}の{中盤|ちゅうばん}として{重要|じゅうよう}な{日|ひ}です。
Thursday is an important day as the middle of the week.
{日曜日|にちようび}の{静寂|せいじゃく}が{好|す|}きです。
I like the silence of Sunday.
{土曜日|どようび}の{夜|よる}を{謳歌|おうか}する{人々|ひとびと}で{街|まち}は{賑|にぎ}わっています。
The city is bustling with people enjoying Saturday night.
{火曜日|かようび}の{朝|あさ}の{静|しず}けさは{格別|かくべつ}です。
The quiet of Tuesday morning is exceptional.
{水曜日|すいようび}の{午後|ごご}、{仕事|しごと}の{合間|あいま}に{一息|ひといき}つきます。
On Wednesday afternoon, I take a break between work.
{金曜日|きんようび}の{夜|よる}の{解放感|かいほうかん}は{何|なに}にも{代|か|}えられません。
The sense of liberation on Friday night is irreplaceable.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up 'Monday' with 'the 1st'.
Common Mistakes
{月|げつ}です
{月曜日|げつようび}です
{火|か}は{何曜日|なんようび}?
{今日|きょう}は{何曜日|なんようび}?
{月曜日|げつようび}に{行|い}きます
{月曜日|げつようび}に{行|い}きます (Actually correct, but watch for particle usage)
{日|にち}曜日
{日曜日|にちようび}
{明日|あした}は{月|げつ}です
{明日|あした}は{月曜日|げつようび}です
{何|なん}曜日ですか
{何曜日|なんようび}ですか
{金曜日|きんようび}は{何|なに}ですか
{今日|きょう}は{何曜日|なんようび}ですか
{月曜日|げつようび}の{日|ひ}
{月曜日|げつようび}
{曜日|ようび}が{何|なに}ですか
{何曜日|なんようび}ですか
{月曜日|げつようび}に{会|あ}う
{月曜日|げつようび}に{会|あ}います
Sentence Patterns
{今日|きょう}は___です。
___は{何曜日|なんようび}ですか?
私は___に{働|はたら}きます。
___は{忙|いそが}しいです。
Real World Usage
{金曜日|きんようび}、{暇|ひま}?
{月曜日|げつようび}に{会議|かいぎ}があります。
{土曜日|どようび}は{営業|えいぎょう}しています。
{日曜日|にちようび}の{朝|あさ}!
{水曜日|すいようび}の{割引|わりびき}。
{火曜日|かようび}に{面接|めんせつ}を{希望|きぼう}します。
Calendar Abbreviation
Blue Monday
Don't say 'Day' twice
Smart Tips
Use a mnemonic for the elements.
Always write the full kanji.
Focus on the long 'o' sound.
Use the particle {に|に} for specific days.
Pronunciation
Long Vowels
The 'o' in {ようび} is long.
Question
Rising at the end
Indicates a question
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of the elements: Fire (Tuesday), Water (Wednesday), Wood (Thursday), Metal (Friday), Earth (Saturday).
Visual Association
Imagine a calendar where each day is a different element: a burning fire on Tuesday, a flowing river on Wednesday, a tall tree on Thursday, a gold coin on Friday, and a pile of dirt on Saturday.
Rhyme
Getsu, Ka, Sui, Moku, Kin, Do, Nichi, the week is done, it's quite a hitch!
Story
On Monday (Getsu), I look at the Moon. On Tuesday (Ka), I start a fire. On Wednesday (Sui), I drink water. On Thursday (Moku), I climb a tree. On Friday (Kin), I find gold. On Saturday (Do), I play in the dirt. On Sunday (Nichi), I watch the Sun.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down your schedule for the next 7 days using the Japanese names for each day.
Cultural Notes
The week is often used for business scheduling. Sunday is the start of the week on many calendars.
Derived from the Chinese system of seven luminaries.
Conversation Starters
{今日|きょう}は{何曜日|なんようび}ですか?
{週末|しゅうまつ}は{何曜日|なんようび}と{何曜日|なんようび}ですか?
{一番|いちばん}{好|す|}きな{曜日|ようび}は{何曜日|なんようび}ですか?
{月曜日|げつようび}は{忙|いそが}しいですか?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
{今日|きょう}は{月曜日|げつようび}です。{明日|あした}は___です。
Which is Sunday?
Find and fix the mistake:
{今日|きょう}は{月|げつ}です。
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Today is Friday.
Answer starts with: a...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Friday + 1 day?
A: {今日|きょう}は{何曜日|なんようび}ですか? B: ___
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises{今日|きょう}は{月曜日|げつようび}です。{明日|あした}は___です。
Which is Sunday?
Find and fix the mistake:
{今日|きょう}は{月|げつ}です。
{曜日|ようび} / {何|なん} / ですか / {今日|きょう} / は
Today is Friday.
Match {火曜日|かようび} to English.
Friday + 1 day?
A: {今日|きょう}は{何曜日|なんようび}ですか? B: ___
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesMatch these up:
desu / wa / Doyōbi / yasumi / .
It is Sunday.
Getsuyōbi, ___, Suiyōbi.
Select the correct Japanese word.
Nichiyōbi wa gakkō ni ikimasu.
Connect them.
The interview is on Friday ({___}).
Translate the question.
Which day contains the Tree kanji?
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
It is a suffix meaning 'day of the luminary'.
No, {月|げつ} is just the moon. {月曜日|げつようび} is Monday.
Use '{今日|きょう}は{何曜日|なんようび}ですか?'.
Yes, constantly for scheduling.
Yes, it is essential for reading.
No, you must use the full form.
Use '{月曜日|げつようび}に'.
No, dates are specific to the month.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Lunes, Martes...
Japanese uses a consistent suffix.
Lundi, Mardi...
Japanese is based on elements.
Montag, Dienstag...
Japanese uses celestial bodies.
{曜日|ようび}
None.
Al-Ahad, Al-Ithnayn...
Japanese uses names.
Xingqi yi, Xingqi er...
Japanese uses elements.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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