A2 noun Neutral 2 min read

もくようび

mokuyobi /mokuyoːbi/

Overview

The Japanese word 'もくようび' (mokuyoubi) translates to 'Thursday' in English. Let's break down its components and understand its usage:

**Etymology and Components:**

  • 木 (moku/ki): This kanji means 'wood' or 'tree.' In the context of the days of the week, it represents Jupiter, as Thursday is associated with the planet Jupiter in many cultures.
  • 曜 (you): This kanji means 'weekday' or 'day of the week.' It's a common component in all Japanese days of the week.
  • 日 (bi/hi/nichi): This kanji means 'day.'

So, literally, 'もくようび' can be understood as 'wood day' or 'Jupiter's day.' This follows a pattern seen in many languages where days of the week are named after celestial bodies or deities.

**Pronunciation:**

  • も (mo): Pronounced like the 'mo' in 'more.'
  • く (ku): Pronounced like the 'ku' in 'kung fu.'
  • よ (yo): Pronounced like the 'yo' in 'yogurt.'
  • う (u): This is a long 'o' sound. When 'o' is followed by 'u,' it extends the 'o' sound. So, 'よう' is pronounced like the 'yo' in 'yoyo' but held a bit longer.
  • び (bi): Pronounced like the 'bi' in 'bird' (without the 'r' sound), or 'bee.'

Putting it together, the pronunciation is approximately 'moh-koo-yoh-bee,' with the 'yoh' sound being slightly extended.

**Usage in Sentences:**

  • 今日は木曜日です (Kyō wa mokuyōbi desu): “Today is Thursday.”

* です (desu): is/am/are (polite)

  • 木曜日に会議があります (Mokuyōbi ni kaigi ga arimasu): “There is a meeting on Thursday.”

* あります (arimasu): there is/are (for inanimate objects)

  • 来週の木曜日にお会いしましょう (Raishū no mokuyōbi ni o-ai shimashō): "Let's meet next Thursday."

* の (no): possessive particle

  • お会いしましょう (o-ai shimashō): let's meet (polite form of 会う - au)

**Cultural Context:**

In Japanese culture, the days of the week are primarily used for scheduling and general timekeeping, similar to Western cultures. There aren't specific widespread traditions or superstitions uniquely associated with Thursday, unlike some other days of the week in various cultures.

**Writing:**

While '木曜日' is the standard kanji writing, 'もくようび' is its hiragana equivalent, often used when kanji might be too complex for the audience (e.g., children's books, or for clarity). Both are perfectly acceptable.

In summary, 'もくようび' is a fundamental vocabulary word for anyone learning Japanese, crucial for discussing schedules and daily life.

Examples

1

もくようびにランチを食べましょう。

c

Let's have lunch on Thursday.

2

もくようびは忙しいですか？

c

Are you busy on Thursday?

3

もくようびに会議があります。

c

There's a meeting on Thursday.

4

先週のもくようびは雨でした。

c

Last Thursday, it rained.

5

来週のもくようびに会いましょう。

c

Let's meet next Thursday.

Often Confused With

もくようび vs w

80+ WORDS

Grammar Patterns

p1 p2 p3

How to Use It

Usage Notes

The usage of 'もくようび' is straightforward and similar to how 'Thursday' is used in English. It is a common noun referring to the fourth day of the working week. It can be used in various contexts, such as: '来週の木曜日' (raishuu no mokuyoubi - next Thursday), '木曜日に会議があります' (mokuyoubi ni kaigi ga arimasu - There is a meeting on Thursday), or '毎週木曜日' (maishuu mokuyoubi - every Thursday). When written, it is most commonly seen in hiragana (もくようび) or kanji (木曜日). Both are equally acceptable in most casual and formal settings. There are no particular politeness levels associated with the word itself; its usage depends on the overall sentence structure and context. It is an essential term for scheduling and daily communication in Japanese.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting the 'u' sound after 'k' and mispronouncing it as 'mok-yobi' instead of 'moku-yobi'.

Word Origin

The word 'もくようび' (mokuyoubi) for Thursday in Japanese originates from ancient Chinese philosophy, specifically the concept of the Five Elements (五行 - gogyō). Each day of the week in Japanese, with the exception of Sunday and Monday, is named after one of these elements. 'もく' (moku) means 'wood' (木), and 'ようび' (yōbi) means 'day of the week' (曜日). Therefore, Thursday literally translates to 'wood day'. This system was adopted in Japan around the 7th or 8th century, alongside the introduction of the Buddhist calendar and other cultural influences from China. The Five Elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—are central to various East Asian philosophical and scientific traditions, representing fundamental components and processes of the natural world. In this context, 'wood' is associated with growth, vitality, and renewal, reflecting its natural characteristics. The adoption of this elemental naming convention for days of the week is a testament to the deep historical and cultural ties between Japan and China, and the enduring influence of these ancient systems on modern Japanese language and culture.

Cultural Context

In Japan, as in many cultures, days of the week are deeply embedded in daily life, from scheduling appointments to understanding traditional practices. 'もくようび' (mokuyoubi) is Thursday, and its literal translation is 'wood day' or 'tree day.' This comes from the traditional East Asian calendar system, which associates each day of the week with one of the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) and the celestial bodies. Thursday is linked to Jupiter, which is often associated with the 'wood' element. While the direct connection to wood isn't something most Japanese people actively think about in their daily use, this underlying structure highlights the historical and astronomical influences on the language. Understanding this etymology can offer a deeper appreciation for the cultural fabric woven into everyday terms.

Memory Tip

Visualize a '목욕' (mok-yok) - Korean for bath - on Thursday. Imagine taking a relaxing bath on Thursday, associating the sound 'moku' with 'mok-yok'.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

The Japanese word for 'Thursday' is 'もくようび' (mokuyōbi).

In Japanese, 'Thursday' is written as '木曜日'.

'もくようび' (mokuyōbi) means 'Thursday' in Japanese. It literally translates to 'wood day' or 'tree day'.

Sure! For example, '今週の木曜日は忙しいです。' (Konshū no mokuyōbi wa isogashii desu.) means 'This Thursday is busy.'

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