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A2 noun

一日

When counting days in Japanese, you'll often encounter numbers paired with a counter. However, for some smaller numbers, there are special native Japanese words that are used instead. 一日 (ichinichi) is one such special word, specifically meaning 'one day'. It's important to remember this distinction as it's a common pattern for the first ten days of the month and for general day counting. While you might expect 'ichi' (one) and 'nichi' (day), 'ichinichi' is the correct and most natural way to say 'one day'.

Practice it

Grammar to Know

Counting days: To count a specific number of days, you generally use the format "一日 + count + 間 (kan)" or "一日 + count". For example, 「一日間」(ichinichikan) means "for one day". However, for "one day", 「一日」(ichinichi) itself often implies "for one day" when used in certain contexts.

私は一日日本語を勉強しました。 (I studied Japanese for one day.)

Referring to a specific day: 「一日」(ichinichi) can refer to a specific day in a sequence, like "the first day". When used in this way, it might appear in phrases like 「一日目」(ichinichime), meaning "the first day (of a series)".

旅行の一日目は晴れでした。 (The first day of the trip was sunny.)

Using with time expressions: 「一日」(ichinichi) is frequently used with other time expressions to indicate actions or states that last for a whole day. For example, 「一日中」(ichinichijū) means "all day long."

彼は一日中ゲームをしていました。 (He was playing games all day long.)

As an adverb: While primarily a noun, 「一日」(ichinichi) can sometimes function adjectivally or adverbially in phrases, modifying verbs or other nouns to express actions or states related to a single day.

一日頑張りましょう！ (Let's do our best for the day!)

Polite expressions: In polite speech or formal contexts, 「一日」(ichinichi) can be part of fixed expressions. For instance, 「良い一日を！」(Yoi ichinichi o!) means "Have a good day!"

皆様、良い一日を！ (Everyone, have a good day!)

Test Yourself 18 questions

multiple choice A1

Which of these means "one day"?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: いちにち (ichinichi)

いちにち (ichinichi) means "one day."

multiple choice A1

How do you say "I study Japanese for one day"?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 私は一日日本語を勉強します。 (Watashi wa ichinichi nihongo o benkyoushimasu.)

一日 (ichinichi) means "one day." The correct sentence uses this to say "I study Japanese for one day."

multiple choice A1

Choose the correct way to say "One day, I will go to Japan."

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 一日、日本に行きます。 (Ichinichi, Nihon ni ikimasu.)

一日 (ichinichi) can also be used to mean 'someday' or 'one day' in the future. In this context, it implies a future, unspecified 'one day.'

true false A1

「一日」 (ichinichi) means "one week."

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

「一日」 (ichinichi) means "one day," not "one week."

true false A1

You can use 「一日」 (ichinichi) to talk about the duration of something for one day.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: True

Yes, 「一日」 (ichinichi) is used to express the duration of "one day."

true false A1

The kanji for 「一日」 (ichinichi) are 「一」 (one) and 「月」 (month).

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

The kanji for 「一日」 (ichinichi) are 「一」 (one) and 「日」 (day), not 「月」 (month).

fill blank B2

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