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A1 noun #3,851 most common 11 min read

今朝

kesa Top 3,851

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 今朝 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 今朝 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '今朝' (kesa) is introduced as a basic vocabulary word for time. Learners are expected to understand that it means 'this morning' and use it to describe simple activities. At this stage, the focus is on the adverbial use: 'Kesa, [Action]'. For example, 'Kesa, pan o tabemashita' (I ate bread this morning). Learners should also recognize the kanji and its irregular reading. The primary goal is to distinguish 'kesa' from 'asa' (general morning) and 'kyō' (today). Grammar is kept simple, usually involving the past tense to report on things that have already happened earlier in the day. It is a key word for basic self-introductions and daily reports.

At the A2 level, learners begin to use '今朝' with more complex sentence structures. This includes using the particle 'wa' for topic marking ('Kesa wa samui desu') and the particle 'no' to modify other nouns ('Kesa no shinbun'). Learners should also be able to combine 'kesa' with specific times using 'ni' ('Kesa shichi-ji ni okimashita'). At this stage, the distinction between 'kesa' (specific) and 'maiasa' (habitual) becomes more important. Learners are also introduced to the idea that 'kesa' doesn't usually take the particle 'ni' when acting as a simple adverb, a subtle but important step toward more natural-sounding Japanese. They should be comfortable using it in short dialogues about their morning routine.

At the B1 level, '今朝' is used in more descriptive and cohesive narratives. Learners might use it with 'kara' (since) to describe a state that began in the morning and continues now ('Kesa kara zutto ame ga futte imasu'). They start to encounter 'kesa' in various registers, including more formal business emails or news reports. The B1 learner understands the nuance of using 'kesa' to set the scene for a story. They also begin to learn related words like 'sōchō' (early morning) and 'kesagata' (dawn) and can choose the appropriate word based on the specificity required. Their ability to use 'kesa' in complex sentences with conjunctions like 'kara' (because) or 'noni' (despite) improves significantly.

At the B2 level, the use of '今朝' becomes fluid and natural. The learner can use it in a wide range of contexts, from casual slang-filled conversations to formal presentations. They are aware of the 'konchō' reading used in formal or literary settings, even if they don't use it frequently themselves. B2 learners can use 'kesa' to express subtle nuances, such as using 'kesa wa' to imply that this morning is different from others. They can also handle 'kesa' in passive or causative constructions, such as 'Kesa, haha ni okosaremashita' (I was woken up by my mother this morning). Their understanding of the word extends to its role in fixed expressions and common idioms related to the start of the day.

At the C1 level, learners have a deep appreciation for the stylistic choices involving '今朝'. They can identify when a writer uses 'konchō' for poetic effect or to evoke a specific historical atmosphere. They understand the word's role in classical Japanese (where it might appear in different forms) and how it has evolved. C1 learners use 'kesa' effortlessly in complex socio-political discussions, perhaps referring to 'kesa no nyūsu' (this morning's news) as a springboard for analyzing current events. They are also sensitive to the prosody and pitch accent of the word in various dialects, ensuring their spoken Japanese is highly refined and appropriate for the context.

At the C2 level, '今朝' is a tool for masterful communication. The speaker can use it with perfect native-level intuition, including its use in highly specialized domains like legal reports or classical literature analysis. They understand every possible connotation of the word, including its psychological impact in a narrative (e.g., how starting a story with 'Kesa...' creates immediate intimacy). C2 learners can also discuss the linguistic history of the 'jukujikun' reading and its relationship to other temporal terms. Their use of the word is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, demonstrating a complete grasp of its grammatical, social, and cultural dimensions.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

今朝 in 30 Seconds

今朝 (kesa) means 'this morning' and is used to talk about events that happened or are happening early today.
It is a 'jukujikun' reading, meaning the kanji (今+朝) are read together as 'kesa' rather than their individual sounds.
Grammatically, it often acts as an adverb and does not need the particle 'ni' to indicate the time of an action.
It is very common in daily greetings, weather reports, and describing morning routines to others throughout the day.

The Japanese word 今朝 (けさ - kesa) is a fundamental temporal noun and adverb that specifically translates to 'this morning.' In the Japanese language, temporal nouns often carry a dual function, acting as both the subject or object of a sentence and as an adverbial phrase that doesn't necessarily require a particle like 'ni' to indicate time. Understanding kesa is essential for any beginner because it allows you to anchor your daily activities in the immediate past or the very near future within the context of the current day's start. Culturally, the morning holds a significant place in Japanese life, often associated with the concept of 'asa-katsu' (morning activities), making this word a high-frequency item in both casual and professional settings.

Etymology: The word is composed of two kanji: 今 (kon/ima), meaning 'now' or 'current,' and 朝 (chō/asa), meaning 'morning.' While the individual kanji readings might suggest 'kon-asa,' the standard reading is a special 'jukujikun' (meaning-based reading) pronounced as kesa.

私は今朝、コーヒーを飲みました。 (I drank coffee this morning.)

When you use 今朝, you are referring to the period from sunrise until roughly noon of the current day. Interestingly, the usage of this word shifts depending on the time you say it. If you say it at 10:00 AM, you are referring to the time that has just passed or the current time block. If you say it at 8:00 PM, you are looking back on the start of your day. Unlike the English 'this morning,' which can sometimes feel like a long time ago by evening, kesa remains the standard way to reference that specific time block throughout the entire 24-hour cycle of the current day.

Register: This word is neutral and can be used in polite (desu/masu), casual, and formal business contexts without any modification.

今朝はとても寒いです。 (It is very cold this morning.)

In terms of social interaction, kesa is often the starting point for 'aisatsu' (greetings) and small talk. Coworkers might ask about the weather kesa or if you saw a specific news story kesa. It serves as a shared temporal anchor for everyone currently experiencing the same day. In literature and news, you might encounter the more formal reading 'konchō,' but for 99% of spoken and written communication, kesa is the correct choice. It is one of the first time-related words students learn alongside 'kyō' (today) and 'ashita' (tomorrow), forming the backbone of chronological storytelling in Japanese.

今朝のニュースを見ましたか？ (Did you see this morning's news?)

Grammatical Role: As a noun, it can be followed by 'no' to modify other nouns, as in 'kesa no shinbun' (this morning's newspaper).

今朝のパンはおいしかった。 (This morning's bread was delicious.)

今朝から雨が降っています。 (It has been raining since this morning.)

Using 今朝 (kesa) correctly involves understanding its interaction with Japanese verb tenses and particles. Because kesa refers to a time that has either just happened or is currently happening, it is most frequently paired with the past tense (~mashita/~ta) or the continuous tense (~te imasu). However, it can also be used with the non-past tense when referring to an event that will happen later in the same morning, though this is less common than looking back on the morning from a slightly later perspective.

Adverbial Usage: When used as an adverb, 'kesa' usually appears at the beginning of the sentence or right before the verb phrase. It does not require a particle. Example: 'Kesa, hayaku okimashita' (I woke up early this morning).

今朝、駅で田中さんに会いました。 (This morning, I met Mr. Tanaka at the station.)

One of the most common ways to use kesa is as a topic, followed by the particle は (wa). This is used when you want to compare this morning to other mornings or simply set the scene for a description. For example, 'Kesa wa suzushii desu ne' (It’s cool this morning, isn't it?). Here, you are making 'this morning' the main subject of your observation. This is particularly common in weather-related small talk, which is a staple of Japanese social etiquette.

Noun + No + Noun: When 'kesa' modifies another noun, use the particle 'no'. Example: 'Kesa no jugyō' (This morning's class).

今朝の朝食は何でしたか？ (What was this morning's breakfast?)

Another important construction is using kesa with the particle から (kara - from). This indicates that an action or state started this morning and is likely continuing into the present. For instance, 'Kesa kara zutsū ga shimasu' (I’ve had a headache since this morning). This usage is vital for describing symptoms to a doctor or explaining why you are tired to a friend. Similarly, you can use made (until), though it is rarer to say 'until this morning' unless you are specifically contrasting it with the afternoon.

今朝からずっと忙しいです。 (I've been busy since this morning.)

In negative sentences, kesa helps clarify that an expected action didn't take place. 'Kesa wa nani mo tabemasen deshita' (I didn't eat anything this morning). Note how the combination of wa and the negative past tense creates a clear picture of a missed routine. Mastering these variations allows the learner to move beyond simple 'A is B' sentences into descriptive storytelling about their daily life.

今朝はジョギングに行きませんでした。 (I didn't go jogging this morning.)

Combining with Time: You can combine 'kesa' with specific times for precision: 'Kesa rokuji ni...' (At 6 AM this morning...).

今朝七時に起きました。 (I woke up at seven this morning.)

You will encounter 今朝 (kesa) almost immediately upon waking up in Japan. It is a staple of morning television broadcasts, specifically the 'wide shows' (morning variety and news programs). News anchors will start their segments with phrases like 'Kesa no nyūsu desu' (Here is this morning's news), setting the stage for the day's reporting. If you are watching the weather forecast, the meteorologist will frequently use kesa to describe the minimum temperature recorded earlier that day or the cloud cover observed at dawn.

In the Office: In a Japanese work environment, 'kesa' is used during the 'chōrei' (morning meeting). A manager might say, 'Kesa no densha wa kondemashita ne' (The trains were crowded this morning, weren't they?) to break the ice before discussing the day's tasks.

今朝、メールを送りましたので確認してください。 (I sent an email this morning, so please check it.)

Commuting is another arena where kesa is heard constantly. Train station announcements might use it to explain delays: 'Kesa, jinshin-jiko ga arimashita' (There was a person-related accident this morning). Passengers on the platform will use it while talking on their phones or to each other, discussing how early they had to leave or how cold it was when they stepped out of the house. It is a word that bridges the gap between the private space of the home and the public space of the commute.

Daily Life: At the grocery store or a local cafe, you might hear customers saying, 'Kesa wa hayaku kara kaimono desu ne' (You're shopping early this morning, aren't you?).

今朝はゴミの日ですね。 (This morning is trash day, isn't it?)

Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram are filled with the hashtag #今朝 or #kesa. Users post photos of their breakfast, the sunrise, or their 'OOTD' (Outfit of the Day) with captions like 'Kesa no sora' (This morning's sky). It's a way for people to document their daily rhythm and connect with others who are experiencing the same temporal reality. In podcasts and radio shows, hosts often open by describing what they did kesa to build a sense of intimacy with the listeners, making the word a bridge between the speaker's personal life and the audience.

今朝の散歩は気持ちよかったです。 (This morning's walk was pleasant.)

In Literature: In novels, 'kesa' is used to start chapters or set the scene for a character's internal monologue about their day's beginning.

今朝、ふと昔のことを思い出しました。 (This morning, I suddenly remembered something from long ago.)

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers learning 今朝 (kesa) is trying to apply English logic to the Japanese word. In English, we say 'this morning,' which literally translates to 'kyō no asa.' While 'kyō no asa' is grammatically correct in Japanese, it is rarely used because kesa is the dedicated, more natural word for this concept. Using 'kyō no asa' sounds redundant and slightly 'clunky' to a native speaker, similar to saying 'the morning of today' in English instead of just 'this morning.'

Reading Errors: Beginners often try to read the kanji 今朝 using their most common readings, resulting in 'ima-asa' or 'kon-asa'. Remember that this is a special reading: kesa. It is one of the many time-related words in Japanese with irregular readings.

× 今の朝 (Ima no asa)
○ 今朝 (Kesa)

Another common mistake is the over-use of the particle に (ni). In English, we often say 'IN the morning.' Japanese learners naturally want to translate this 'in' as 'ni'. However, relative time words like kesa, kyō, and ashita usually function as adverbs and do not take 'ni'. Saying 'kesa ni' is a hallmark of a beginner's mistake. It’s not necessarily 'wrong' in a way that prevents understanding, but it marks your speech as non-native. Stick to just kesa or kesa wa.

Tense Mismatches: Using 'kesa' with the future tense for a different day. 'Kesa' can ONLY be used for the current day's morning. If you want to say 'tomorrow morning,' use 'ashita no asa' or 'myōasa'.

× 明日の今朝 (Ashita no kesa)
○ 明日の朝 (Ashita no asa)

Confusing kesa with asa is also common. Asa just means 'morning' in general. If you say 'Asa, kōhī o nomimasu,' you mean 'I drink coffee in the mornings' (as a habit). If you say 'Kesa, kōhī o nomimashita,' you mean 'I drank coffee THIS morning' (a specific event). Choosing the wrong one changes your sentence from a specific report to a general statement of habit, which can lead to confusion in conversation. Finally, ensure you don't confuse the kanji with asa (朝) alone or kyō (今日). While they look similar in context, their functions are distinct.

× 今朝、毎日走ります。 (Incorrect: This morning, I run every day.)
○ 毎朝、走ります。 (Correct: Every morning, I run.)

Spelling/Kanji Mix-ups: Sometimes learners swap the characters to 朝今 (non-existent) or confuse 今 with 令 (rei - as in Reiwa era). Be careful with the strokes!

While 今朝 (kesa) is the most common way to say 'this morning,' Japanese offers several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific time within the morning you wish to emphasize. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to understand more complex texts or formal broadcasts.

Comparison: Kesa vs. Asa: 'Asa' is the general term for morning. 'Kesa' is specifically 'this' morning. If you are talking about mornings in general or the concept of morning, use 'Asa'.

朝はパンを食べます。 (I eat bread in the morning [habit].)
今朝はパンを食べました。 (I ate bread this morning [specific event].)

For more formal or literary contexts, you might see 今朝 (konchō). This uses the 'on-yomi' readings of the kanji. You won't hear this in daily conversation, but you will see it in newspapers, historical novels, or formal speeches. Another variation is 今朝がた (kesagata), which specifically refers to the early morning hours or dawn. If you want to emphasize that something happened very early, 'kesagata' is the more precise choice.

Comparison: Kesa vs. Kyō no asa: 'Kyō no asa' is technically 'Today's morning.' It is grammatically perfect but stylistically inferior to 'Kesa'. Use 'Kesa' unless you are specifically contrasting 'today's morning' with 'yesterday's morning' in a very structured way.

今日の朝は早起きしました。 (I woke up early today's morning - slightly unnatural.)
今朝は早起きしました。 (I woke up early this morning - natural.)

There is also 早朝 (sōchō), which means 'early morning.' While 'kesa' can cover any time in the morning, 'sōchō' specifically targets the 4:00 AM to 7:00 AM window. If you had a meeting at 5:00 AM, you might say 'Kesa, sōchō kara hataraite imasu' (I've been working since early this morning). Finally, for the opposite of kesa, we have 今晩 (konban) or 今夜 (kon'ya), meaning 'this evening' or 'tonight.' Learning these as a set (Kesa, Hiru, Konban) helps organize your mental timeline of the day.

今朝、早朝の空気は冷たかった。 (This morning, the early morning air was cold.)

Other Related Words: - 昨日の朝 (Kinō no asa): Yesterday morning.
- 明日の朝 (Ashita no asa): Tomorrow morning.
- 毎朝 (Maiasa): Every morning.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The reading 'kesa' is so irregular that it's often taught as a single unit rather than by its kanji parts. It's one of the 'time words' like 'kyō' (today) and 'ashita' (tomorrow) that defy standard rules.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ke̞sa̠

US keɪsɑ

In Tokyo Japanese, it usually has an Atamadaka (head-high) or Heiban (flat) accent depending on the speaker, but commonly the first syllable is slightly higher.

Rhymes With

Asa (Morning) Kasa (Umbrella) Masa (Proper name) Sasa (Bamboo grass) Nasa (NASA/Proper name) Tasa (Many/Much) Gasa (Rustling sound) Hasa (Drying rack)

Common Errors

Reading it as 'ima-asa'.
Reading it as 'kon-asa'.
Stretching the 'e' into 'keesa'.
Stretching the 'a' into 'kesaa'.
Adding a 'u' sound like 'kesau'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy kanji but the reading 'kesa' is irregular and must be memorized.

Writing 3/5

Kanji for 'asa' (朝) is slightly complex for absolute beginners.

Speaking 1/5

Pronunciation is simple and follows standard Japanese phonetics.

Listening 1/5

Distinctive sound, easy to pick out in a sentence.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

朝 (Asa) 今日 (Kyō) 今 (Ima)

Learn Next

今夜 (Kon'ya) 明日 (Ashita) 昨日 (Kinō) 毎朝 (Maiasa)

Advanced

早朝 (Sōchō) 暁 (Akatsuki) 黎明 (Reimei)

Grammar to Know

Relative Time Nouns

Words like 'kesa' don't use 'ni'.

Topic Marker 'wa'

Kesa wa samui (As for this morning, it is cold).

Possessive 'no'

Kesa no shinbun (This morning's newspaper).

Past Tense for Completed Actions

Kesa tabemashita (I ate this morning).

Duration with 'kara'

Kesa kara (Since this morning).

Examples by Level

今朝、パンを食べました。

I ate bread this morning.

Simple adverbial use with past tense.

今朝、水を飲みました。

I drank water this morning.

Object marker 'o' used after 'mizu'.

今朝、六時に起きました。

I woke up at six this morning.

Specific time 'roku-ji' followed by 'ni'.

今朝は寒いです。

It is cold this morning.

Topic marker 'wa' used for description.

今朝、テレビを見ました。

I watched TV this morning.

Adverb 'kesa' at the start of the sentence.

今朝、散歩しました。

I took a walk this morning.

Suru-verb 'sanpo suru' in past tense.

今朝、田中さんに会いました。

I met Mr. Tanaka this morning.

Target marker 'ni' used with the verb 'au'.

今朝、新聞を読みました。

I read the newspaper this morning.

Past tense of 'yomu' (read).

今朝の天気はいいですね。

This morning's weather is nice, isn't it?

Possessive 'no' linking 'kesa' and 'tenki'.

今朝は何も食べませんでした。

I didn't eat anything this morning.

Negative past tense with 'nani mo'.

今朝、コーヒーを三杯飲みました。

I drank three cups of coffee this morning.

Counter 'san-bai' for cups/glasses.

今朝は電車がとても混んでいました。

The train was very crowded this morning.

Te-iru form in the past tense for a state.

今朝のニュースを見ましたか？

Did you see this morning's news?

Question form with 'ka'.

今朝、シャワーを浴びました。

I took a shower this morning.

Verb phrase 'shawaa o abiru'.

今朝はいつもより早く起きました。

I woke up earlier than usual this morning.

Comparison 'itsumo yori' (than usual).

今朝、公園で猫を見ました。

I saw a cat in the park this morning.

Location marker 'de' for the action.

今朝からずっと頭が痛いです。

My head has been hurting since this morning.

Starting point 'kara' with 'zutto' (continuously).

今朝、送ったメールは届きましたか？

Did the email I sent this morning arrive?

Relative clause 'kesa okutta' modifying 'meeru'.

今朝は忙しくて、朝ご飯を食べる時間がなかった。

I was busy this morning and didn't have time to eat breakfast.

Te-form 'isogashikute' used for reason.

今朝の会議は中止になりました。

This morning's meeting was cancelled.

Verb 'naru' (to become/result in).

今朝、家を出る時に鍵を忘れました。

I forgot my keys when I left the house this morning.

Temporal conjunction 'toki ni' (when).

今朝、駅で偶然友達に会った。

I ran into a friend by chance at the station this morning.

Adverb 'gūzen' (by chance).

今朝は霧が深くて、前が見えませんでした。

The fog was so thick this morning I couldn't see ahead.

Potential negative form 'miemasen deshita'.

今朝のラジオで面白い話を聞きました。

I heard an interesting story on this morning's radio.

Location marker 'de' for the source of info.

今朝の新聞によると、新しい法律ができるそうです。

According to this morning's paper, it seems a new law will be made.

'~ni yoru to' (according to) with 'sō desu' (I heard).

今朝は珍しく、父が朝食を作ってくれました。

Unusually, my father made breakfast for me this morning.

Benefactive construction '~te kureta'.

今朝の地震で棚から本が落ちた。

Books fell from the shelf due to this morning's earthquake.

Cause/reason marker 'de' with a noun.

今朝早く、小鳥のさえずりで目が覚めました。

Early this morning, I woke up to the chirping of small birds.

Means/cause marker 'de' with 'me ga sameru'.

今朝、部長に叱られて落ち込んでいます。

I'm feeling down because I was scolded by the manager this morning.

Passive voice 'shikararete'.

今朝は道が凍っていて、歩くのが大変だった。

The road was frozen this morning, so walking was difficult.

Gerund 'aruku no' acting as a noun subject.

今朝、予約していた荷物が無事に届いた。

The package I had reserved arrived safely this morning.

Relative clause with past progressive 'yoyaku shite ita'.

今朝の景色は、まるで絵画のように美しかった。

This morning's scenery was as beautiful as a painting.

Simile 'marude... no yō ni'.

今朝の報道によれば、経済状況はさらに悪化しているという。

According to this morning's reports, the economic situation is said to be worsening further.

Formal reportive form '~to iu'.

今朝がたの火災は、幸いにも死傷者は出なかった模様だ。

It appears that, fortunately, there were no casualties in the fire early this morning.

Formal expression 'moyō da' (appears to be).

今朝の彼の態度は、何かを隠しているように感じられた。

His attitude this morning felt as though he was hiding something.

Spontaneous/Passive potential 'kanjirareta'.

今朝の澄み渡った空気は、秋の訪れを予感させた。

The clear air this morning gave a premonition of autumn's arrival.

Causative form 'yokansaseta'.

今朝、ふとした瞬間に、亡くなった祖父の声を思い出した。

This morning, in a sudden moment, I remembered my late grandfather's voice.

Idiomatic 'futo shita shunkan' (a sudden moment).

今朝の論説は、現代社会の問題を鋭く突いている。

This morning's editorial sharply points out the problems of modern society.

Metaphorical use of 'tsuku' (to prick/point out).

今朝は一段と冷え込みが厳しく、霜が降りていた。

This morning the cold was even more severe, and frost had settled.

Adverb 'ichidanto' (even more/further).

今朝、改めて自分の人生について深く考えさせられた。

This morning, I was once again made to think deeply about my own life.

Causative-passive 'kangaesaserareta'.

今朝の静寂を破るかのように、突然電話が鳴り響いた。

As if to break this morning's silence, the telephone suddenly rang out.

Conjunction '~ka no yō ni' (as if to...).

今朝の出来事は、後の歴史において大きな転換点となるだろう。

This morning's events will likely become a major turning point in later history.

Future conjecture '~darō'.

今朝の光景は、万葉集の歌に詠まれている情景そのものであった。

The scene this morning was the very essence of the landscapes described in the Man'yoshu poems.

Emphatic 'sonomono de atta'.

今朝、窓辺に差し込む光に、生命の神秘を感じずにはいられなかった。

This morning, looking at the light streaming through the window, I couldn't help but feel the mystery of life.

Double negative 'zu ni wa irarenakatta' (couldn't help but).

今朝の閣議において、政府は新たな経済対策を決定した。

In this morning's cabinet meeting, the government decided on new economic measures.

Formal locative 'ni oite'.

今朝の冷気は、身の引き締まるような心地よい緊張感をもたらした。

The cold air this morning brought a pleasant sense of tension that braced the body.

Descriptive relative clause modifying 'kinchōkan'.

今朝の夢は、まるで遠い未来からの啓示であるかのように鮮明だった。

This morning's dream was as vivid as if it were a revelation from the distant future.

Formal conjecture 'de aru ka no yō ni'.

今朝、一羽の鳥が飛び立つのを見て、何かが終わる予感がした。

Seeing a single bird take flight this morning, I had a premonition that something was coming to an end.

Perception verb 'miru' with 'no' nominalization.

Synonyms

今日の朝本朝今朝がた当朝

Antonyms

今晩今夜昨夜

Common Collocations

今朝早く

今朝のニュース

今朝の天気

今朝から

今朝は

今朝の新聞

今朝のご飯

今朝の電車

今朝一で

今朝ほど

Common Phrases

今朝は何時に起きましたか？

— A standard question to ask someone about their morning routine.

今朝は何時に起きましたか？ - 七時です。

今朝はいい天気ですね。

— A very common ice-breaker or small talk phrase.

おはようございます。今朝はいい天気ですね。

今朝は忙しいです。

— Used to explain current unavailability or stress.

すみません、今朝は忙しいので後で。

今朝の気分はどうですか？

— Asking how someone is feeling specifically this morning.

顔色が悪いですね。今朝の気分はどうですか？

今朝はいつもより...

— Used to compare today's morning to a typical one.

今朝はいつもより道が混んでいます。

今朝、届きました。

— Commonly used when receiving mail or a package.

その手紙は今朝、届きました。

今朝、聞きました。

— Used when relaying information heard recently.

その話は今朝、ニュースで聞きました。

今朝はジョギングに行きました。

— A common way to describe a healthy morning habit.

健康のために、今朝はジョギングに行きました。

今朝はパンでした。

— Shortened way to say what one had for breakfast.

今朝の朝食は何？ - 今朝はパンでした。

今朝の出来事

— Referring to something that happened earlier today.

今朝の出来事を日記に書く。

Often Confused With

今朝 vs 毎朝 (Maiasa)

Maiasa is 'every morning' (habit), whereas Kesa is 'this morning' (specific).

今朝 vs 朝 (Asa)

Asa is 'morning' in general. Kesa is specific to today.

今朝 vs 今夜 (Kon'ya)

Learners sometimes mix up the 'morning' and 'night' suffixes.

Idioms & Expressions

"今朝の露"

— Literally 'this morning's dew'. Metaphorically refers to something transient or fleeting.

人生は今朝の露のようだ。

Poetic

"今朝の春"

— Refers to the morning of New Year's Day.

今朝の春を祝う。

Literary/Traditional

"今朝一"

— The very first task or event of the day.

今朝一で会議がある。

Business Slang

"今朝の風"

— The feeling or 'vibe' of the morning.

今朝の風は秋を感じさせる。

Literary

"今朝の顔"

— One's appearance or expression specifically this morning.

彼の今朝の顔は晴れやかだった。

Neutral

"今朝の夢"

— Often used when a dream was particularly memorable.

今朝の夢は不思議だった。

Neutral

"今朝の空"

— Commonly used in social media to describe the sunrise/weather.

今朝の空はとても赤い。

Casual

"今朝の心"

— One's state of mind at the start of the day.

今朝の心は穏やかだ。

Poetic

"今朝の冷え込み"

— The specific chill felt this morning.

今朝の冷え込みで目が覚めた。

Neutral

"今朝の糧"

— Literally 'this morning's food', can be used metaphorically for inspiration.

この言葉を今朝の糧にしよう。

Formal/Literary

Easily Confused

今朝 vs 朝食 (Chōshoku)

Both relate to morning.

Kesa is the time, Chōshoku is the meal (breakfast).

今朝、朝食を食べました。

今朝 vs 今日 (Kyō)

Both refer to the current day.

Kyō is the whole day, Kesa is just the morning.

今日は忙しいですが、今朝は暇でした。

今朝 vs 明日 (Ashita)

Temporal proximity.

Ashita is tomorrow, Kesa is today's morning.

明日の今朝 (Incorrect) -> 明日の朝 (Correct).

今朝 vs 昨朝 (Sakuchō)

Formal term for yesterday morning.

Sakuchō is formal/written, Kesa is 'this morning' and used spoken/written.

昨朝の件ですが... (Formal).

今朝 vs 今夕 (Kon'yū)

Similar 'Kon' prefix.

Kon'yū is 'this evening' (formal), Kesa is 'this morning'.

今夕、お伺いします。

Sentence Patterns

今朝、[Verb-ta]。

今朝、パンを食べました。

今朝は [Adjective] です。

今朝は寒いです。

今朝 [Time] に [Verb-ta]。

今朝七時に起きました。

今朝の [Noun] は [Adjective] です。

今朝のコーヒーは苦いです。

今朝から [Verb-te] います。

今朝から雨が降っています。

今朝 [Verb-ta] 時、[Clause]。

今朝起きた時、頭が痛かったです。

今朝の [Noun] によると、[Clause]。

今朝のニュースによると、台風が来ます。

今朝がた、[Clause]。

今朝がた、大きな音がしました。

Word Family

Nouns

朝 (Morning)

今朝 (This morning)

毎朝 (Every morning)

早朝 (Early morning)

今日 (Today)

今夜 (Tonight)

昨朝 (Yesterday morning)

明朝 (Tomorrow morning)

今 (Now)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life.

Common Mistakes

今朝に (Kesa ni) → 今朝 (Kesa)
Relative time words don't take 'ni'.
今の朝 (Ima no asa) → 今朝 (Kesa)
Translating English 'this morning' too literally.
今朝、毎日走ります (Kesa, maiasa hashirimasu) → 毎朝、走ります (Maiasa hashirimasu)
Confusing a specific morning with a habit.
明日の今朝 (Ashita no kesa) → 明日の朝 (Ashita no asa)
Trying to use 'kesa' for tomorrow.
Reading as 'ima-asa' → Reading as 'kesa'
Incorrectly reading the kanji components.

Tips

No 'ni' particle

Don't add 'ni' after 'kesa' when using it as an adverb. It sounds more natural without it.

Learn the set

Learn 'kesa' (morning), 'kyō' (today), and 'konban' (tonight) together.

Pitch Accent

Try to keep the pitch relatively flat or slightly higher on the first syllable.

Topic Marking

Use 'kesa wa' when you want to comment on the weather or a specific state of the morning.

Kanji Practice

Practice the kanji 朝 carefully; it is made of 'sun', 'moon', and other elements.

Morning Greetings

Remember that 'Ohayou gozaimasu' is the greeting, but 'kesa' is the word for the time period.

K-Saw

Imagine 'sawing' (saw) the morning light with a 'K' shaped saw.

Avoid Redundancy

Avoid saying 'kyō no kesa'. 'Kesa' already means 'today's morning'.

Listen to News

Morning news is the best place to hear 'kesa' used in various formal contexts.

Daily Journal

Start every daily journal entry with 'Kesa...' to practice describing your day.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'K-Saw' (Kesa). I used a K-Saw to cut wood this morning.

Visual Association

Imagine a bright sunrise (朝) happening right 'now' (今).

Word Web

Morning Today Breakfast Sunrise Commute Alarm News Coffee

Challenge

Try to use 'kesa' in three different sentences describing your morning routine today.

Word Origin

The word is a compound of the kanji '今' (current/now) and '朝' (morning). In Old Japanese, this was likely read as 'ima-asa', but over centuries, it simplified into the unique reading 'kesa'.

Original meaning: The morning of the current day.

Japonic / Special reading (Jukujikun).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral time word.

In English, we often say 'this morning' even late at night. Japanese 'kesa' works the same way.

The song 'Kesa no Sora' (This Morning's Sky) by various artists. Traditional Haiku often use 'kesa' to set a seasonal scene. Morning news segments titled 'Kesa no Shūten' (This Morning's Focus).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Daily Routine

今朝は何時に起きた？
今朝は何を食べた？
今朝はシャワーを浴びた。
今朝は忙しかった。

Weather

今朝は寒いですね。
今朝はいい天気だ。
今朝は雨が降っている。
今朝は霧がすごい。

Work

今朝の会議はどうでしたか？
今朝、メールを送りました。
今朝の電車は混んでいた。
今朝一で対応します。

Health

今朝は気分がいい。
今朝から熱がある。
今朝は食欲がない。
今朝、薬を飲んだ。

Social Media

今朝の空。
今朝の朝ごはん。
今朝の散歩道。
今朝のコーヒー。

Conversation Starters

"今朝、ニュースで見ましたが、あの事件は驚きましたね。"

"今朝は何時に起きましたか？私は五時でした。"

"今朝はとても冷え込みますが、風邪は引いていませんか？"

"今朝の朝食は何を食べましたか？おすすめはありますか？"

"今朝の電車、いつもより空いていませんでしたか？"

Journal Prompts

今朝、目が覚めた時に最初に考えたことは何ですか？

今朝の天気と、それに対する自分の気持ちを書いてください。

今朝、家を出るまでにしたことを順番に書き出してみましょう。

今朝、誰かと話をしましたか？どんな内容でしたか？

今朝、一番おいしかった食べ物や飲み物について詳しく書いてください。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is generally unnatural to use 'ni' with relative time words like 'kesa'. Just say 'kesa' or 'kesa wa'.

It is neutral and can be used in almost any situation, from talking to friends to business meetings.

Use 'ashita no asa' or the more formal 'myōasa'.

'Asa' is morning in general (e.g., 'I like mornings'). 'Kesa' is specifically 'this morning' (today).

Only if it is still very early and you are referring to a later time within the same morning.

The kanji for 'asa' (朝) has many strokes, but it is a very common character that A1 students should learn early.

It is a 'jukujikun', a special reading where the sound is assigned to the whole word rather than individual kanji.

It refers specifically to the very early morning hours, around dawn.

Yes, to refer back to the morning of the day that is currently ending.

It is written as けさ.