なんようび in 30 Seconds
- なんようび (nanyōbi) means 'What day of the week?'.
- Used to ask about specific days for plans or events.
- Essential for scheduling and time-related conversations.
The Japanese phrase なんようび (nanyōbi) directly translates to 'What day of the week?'. It's a fundamental question used in everyday conversations when you need to know or confirm the specific day. For instance, if someone mentions an event is happening 'next week,' you might ask なんようび (nanyōbi) to find out which day it falls on. It's incredibly useful for planning appointments, understanding schedules, or simply keeping track of time. Imagine you're planning a trip to a Japanese onsen (hot spring) resort and want to know when the special traditional music performance is held. You would ask, 'そのパフォーマンスはなんようびですか？' (Sono pafōmansu wa nanyōbi desu ka? - What day of the week is that performance?). This phrase is ubiquitous in situations involving scheduling, from casual meetups with friends to more formal business arrangements. It's one of the first interrogative phrases learners encounter because understanding days of the week is crucial for basic communication and navigating daily life. Without knowing the day, it's hard to make concrete plans or understand time-sensitive information. Therefore, mastering なんようび (nanyōbi) is a significant step towards fluency.
- Components
- The phrase is a combination of 'nan' (何), meaning 'what', and 'yōbi' (曜日), meaning 'day of the week'. 'Yōbi' itself is a suffix that is attached to the names of the days of the week (e.g., 月曜日 - getsuyōbi - Monday).
- Usage Scenarios
- You'll hear this when someone is trying to set up a meeting, confirm a reservation, ask about the timing of a TV program, or inquire about the day of a holiday. For example, if your Japanese friend says, '来週、映画に行きましょう' (Raishū, eiga ni ikimashō - Let's go to the movies next week), you might reply, 'なんようびがいいですか？' (Nanyōbi ga ii desu ka? - What day is good?). This phrase is as common as asking 'What time is it?' or 'How much is it?' in English.
明日の会議はなんようびですか？
The phrase なんようび (nanyōbi) is typically used in question form. It can stand alone as a direct question, or it can be incorporated into a longer sentence inquiring about a specific event or activity. The most common way to use it is by adding the particle 'wa' (は) and then the copula 'desu ka' (ですか), forming 'なんようびですか？' (nanyōbi desu ka?). This literally means 'What day of the week is it?'.
- Basic Question Structure
- The simplest form is simply asking about the current day: 'なんようびですか？' (Nanyōbi desu ka?). This is a polite way to ask 'What day is it today?'.
- Inquiring About Future Events
- When asking about a specific event or appointment, you'll often place the subject before 'nanyōbi'. For example, to ask about the day of a party: 'パーティーはなんようびですか？' (Pātī wa nanyōbi desu ka? - What day of the week is the party?). Or about a class: '授業はなんようびにありますか？' (Jugyō wa nanyōbi ni arimasu ka? - What day of the week is the class?).
- Asking for Preferences
- You can also use it to ask someone which day they prefer: 'なんようびがいいですか？' (Nanyōbi ga ii desu ka? - What day is good?). This is very common when trying to arrange a meeting or activity.
- Example with Time
- Sometimes, you might combine it with time-related words: '明日の会議はなんようびですか？' (Ashita no kaigi wa nanyōbi desu ka? - What day of the week is tomorrow's meeting?).
明日、なんようびですか？
You'll encounter なんようび (nanyōbi) in a vast array of real-life situations in Japan. It's a cornerstone of everyday communication, essential for navigating social and professional life. Imagine you're at a Japanese train station, looking at a departure board. The times are listed, but you need to know if a particular train runs on a specific day. A station attendant might be asked, 'この電車はなんようびに動きますか？' (Kono densha wa nanyōbi ni ugokimasu ka? - What day of the week does this train run?).
- Social Gatherings
- When friends are trying to plan a get-together, the conversation will inevitably involve scheduling. '週末に食事でもどう？' (Shūmatsu ni shokuji demo dō? - How about dinner on the weekend?) might be followed by 'なんようびがいい？' (Nanyōbi ga ii? - What day is good?).
- Appointments and Reservations
- If you're booking a doctor's appointment or a table at a popular restaurant, the staff will ask or you will ask: '予約はなんようびが空いていますか？' (Yoyaku wa nanyōbi ga aite imasu ka? - What days are available for reservations?).
- Media and Events
- When a new movie is released or a special TV program is scheduled, announcements often include the day: 'この映画は金曜日に公開されます。' (Kono eiga wa Kinyōbi ni kōkai saremasu. - This movie will be released on Friday.) or you might ask a friend, 'そのドラマ、なんようびに放送してるの？' (Sono dorama, nanyōbi ni hōsō shiteru no? - What day of the week is that drama broadcast on?).
- Workplace Communication
- In a professional setting, scheduling meetings is crucial. '来週の会議はなんようびに設定しましょうか？' (Raishū no kaigi wa nanyōbi ni settei shimashō ka? - What day of the week shall we set next week's meeting for?).
明日はなんようびですか？
While なんようび (nanyōbi) is a straightforward phrase, learners can sometimes make minor errors that might cause slight confusion. One common mistake is mispronouncing 'yōbi'. The 'ō' sound is a long 'o', similar to the 'o' in 'go' but held slightly longer. Saying 'nan-yo-bi' instead of 'nan-yoh-bee' can sound a bit off to native speakers.
- Confusing 'What' with 'Which'
- The word 'nan' (何) means 'what'. While it functions correctly here, sometimes learners might try to use other question words inappropriately. For example, trying to use a word that means 'which' in English might not fit the grammatical structure of Japanese for this specific question.
- Omitting 'Desu ka' in Polite Contexts
- In formal or polite situations, simply saying 'なんようび？' (Nanyōbi?) can sound abrupt. It's better to use the full 'なんようびですか？' (Nanyōbi desu ka?) to be polite. While informal speech might drop 'desu ka', it's safer for learners to include it.
- Using 'Nani' instead of 'Nan'
- 'Nan' is used before words starting with 't' or 'd', or before particles like 'nen' (year) or 'nichi' (day). 'Nani' (何) is used in other contexts. For 'yōbi', 'nan' is the correct form. Saying 'なにようびですか？' (Nani yōbi desu ka?) is grammatically incorrect.
- Misplacing the Subject
- When asking about a specific event, like a meeting, learners might forget to place the subject before 'nanyōbi'. For example, saying 'なんようび会議ですか？' (Nanyōbi kaigi desu ka?) instead of the correct '会議はなんようびですか？' (Kaigi wa nanyōbi desu ka?).
会議はなんようびですか？ (Correct)
会議なんようびですか？ (Incorrect)
While なんようび (nanyōbi) is the standard way to ask 'What day of the week?', there are related phrases and ways to ask about time that learners should be aware of. Understanding these nuances can help you communicate more effectively and precisely.
- Directly Asking for the Day
- なんようびですか？ (Nanyōbi desu ka?): This is the most direct and common way to ask 'What day of the week is it?'.
- Asking About a Specific Day
- きょうはなんようびですか？ (Kyō wa nanyōbi desu ka?): This specifically asks 'What day of the week is today?'.
- Asking About a Specific Event's Day
- [Event]はなんようびですか？ ([Event] wa nanyōbi desu ka?): As mentioned before, this asks 'What day of the week is [Event]?'. For example, '会議はなんようびですか？' (Kaigi wa nanyōbi desu ka? - What day of the week is the meeting?).
- Asking About the Date (Not Day of the Week)
- なんにちですか？ (Nan nichi desu ka?): This asks 'What date is it?' (e.g., the 15th, the 22nd). This is different from asking about the day of the week (Monday, Tuesday, etc.).
- Informal Usage
- In very casual settings among close friends, you might hear shortened forms or even just 'なんようび？' (Nanyōbi?), but it's best to stick to the polite form as a learner.
今日はなんようびですか？ (What day is it today?)
今日はなんにちですか？ (What date is it today?)
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The names of the days of the week in Japanese are directly related to the names of celestial bodies and elements. For example, Monday (月曜日 - Getsuyōbi) is 'Moon Day', Tuesday (火曜日 - Kayōbi) is 'Fire Day', Wednesday (水曜日 - Suiyōbi) is 'Water Day', Thursday (木曜日 - Mokuyōbi) is 'Wood Day', Friday (金曜日 - Kinyōbi) is 'Gold/Metal Day', Saturday (土曜日 - Doyōbi) is 'Earth Day', and Sunday (日曜日 - Nichiyōbi) is 'Sun Day'. This naming convention is similar to many European languages.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'ō' as a short 'o' sound.
- Not differentiating between 'nan' and 'nani'.
- Incorrectly stressing the first or last syllable.
- Adding an extra syllable or omitting one.
- Mispronouncing the 'b' sound.
Difficulty Rating
Recognizing 'nanyōbi' in text is straightforward due to its commonality and often distinct kanji (何曜日). Understanding its context within a sentence is also relatively easy once the basic meaning is grasped.
Writing 'nanyōbi' correctly, especially the hiragana version, is simple. Using it accurately in sentences requires understanding basic sentence structures for questions and scheduling.
Pronouncing 'nanyōbi' correctly requires attention to the long 'ō' sound. Forming the question 'nanyōbi desu ka?' is a fundamental speaking skill.
Hearing and understanding 'nanyōbi' in spoken Japanese is relatively easy due to its frequent use and clear pronunciation in standard speech.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Question formation with ですか (desu ka)
なんようび (nanyōbi) + ですか (desu ka) = なんようびですか？ (Nanyōbi desu ka? - What day of the week is it?)
Using topic marker は (wa)
会議 (kaigi - meeting) + は (wa) + なんようびですか？ (nanyōbi desu ka?) = 会議はなんようびですか？ (Kaigi wa nanyōbi desu ka? - What day of the week is the meeting?)
Using particle に (ni) for specific days/times
月曜日 (getsuyōbi - Monday) + に (ni) = 月曜日に (getsuyōbi ni - on Monday). This is used when stating the day an event occurs.
Using particle から (kara) for 'from'
なんようび (nanyōbi) + から (kara) = なんようびから (nanyōbi kara - from what day of the week?)
Using particle まで (made) for 'until'
なんようび (nanyōbi) + まで (made) = なんようびまで (nanyōbi made - until what day of the week?)
Examples by Level
明日はなんようびですか？
What day of the week is tomorrow?
Adding 'ashita' (tomorrow) before 'nanyōbi desu ka' to ask about a specific future day.
会議はなんようびですか？
What day of the week is the meeting?
Using the topic marker 'wa' to specify the subject of the question (the meeting).
パーティーはなんようびにありますか？
On what day of the week is the party?
'Ni' (に) can be used to indicate the specific day or time an event occurs.
なんようびがいいですか？
What day of the week is good?
A common phrase for asking about someone's preference for a day.
今日、なんようび？
What day is it today? (Casual)
Informal version, dropping 'desu ka'. Use with caution.
来週の月曜日はなんようびですか？
What day of the week is next Monday?
Combining specific day names with 'nanyōbi' (though redundant, it's sometimes used for emphasis or by beginners).
このお店はなんようびに開いていますか？
What day of the week is this store open?
Asking about the operational days of a business.
宿題はなんようびまでに終わらせますか？
By what day of the week will you finish your homework?
Asking about a deadline related to the day of the week.
旅行はなんようびから始まりますか？
From what day of the week does the trip start?
Using 'kara' (from) to specify the start day of an event.
その映画はなんようびに公開されますか？
On what day of the week is that movie released?
Asking about the release day of media.
来週の予定を教えてください。なんようびに空いていますか？
Please tell me your schedule for next week. What days are you free?
A more extended inquiry about availability.
このクラスはなんようびに受講できますか？
On what day of the week can I take this class?
Asking about the days a course is offered.
会議の時間をなんようびに設定するのが一番都合がいいですか？
What day of the week is most convenient to set the meeting time?
A more polite and nuanced way to ask about scheduling convenience.
週末はなんようびに予定がありますか？
Do you have plans on which day of the weekend?
Specifying the weekend and asking about plans.
そのイベントはなんようびまで開催されていますか？
Until what day of the week is that event held?
Asking about the end date of an event using 'madé' (until).
来週、友達と会う約束をしたいのですが、なんようびが都合いいですか？
I want to make plans to meet a friend next week, what day is convenient?
Expressing the intention to make plans and asking for availability.
来週の出張のスケジュールについてですが、なんようびに東京に到着予定ですか？
Regarding next week's business trip schedule, on what day of the week are you expected to arrive in Tokyo?
Used in a formal business context, inquiring about travel arrival days.
このプロジェクトの完了はなんようびを目標としていますか？
What day of the week is targeted for the completion of this project?
Discussing project deadlines and target completion days.
来月の会議日程について、皆様のご都合を伺いたいのですが、なんようびが最も適していますか？
Regarding next month's meeting schedule, I would like to ask for everyone's convenience, what day of the week is most suitable?
A very polite and formal way to inquire about meeting scheduling preferences.
その展示会はなんようびから一般公開されますか？
From what day of the week will that exhibition be open to the public?
Asking about the public opening day of an exhibition or event.
来週の月曜日に予定されている会議は、なんようびに延期される可能性がありますか？
Is there a possibility that the meeting scheduled for next Monday will be postponed to what day of the week?
Discussing potential postponements and asking about alternative days.
この地域の祭りはなんようびに開催されるのが恒例ですか？
On what day of the week is it customary for the festival in this region to be held?
Inquiring about traditional or customary days for events.
皆さんの都合の良いなんようびをいくつか教えていただけますでしょうか？
Could you please tell me a few days of the week that are convenient for everyone?
A polite request for multiple convenient days.
来週の火曜日の午後にアポイントメントを取ることは可能ですか？それともなんようびがいいですか？
Is it possible to take an appointment for Tuesday afternoon next week? Or what day would be better?
Suggesting a specific day and then asking for alternatives.
来月予定されている国際会議の開会式は、なんようびに設定するのが最も効果的でしょうか？
On what day of the week would it be most effective to set the opening ceremony for the international conference scheduled for next month?
Used in strategic planning for major events, considering optimal days.
この長期プロジェクトの各フェーズの完了目標日を、なんようびを基準に設定していく必要があります。
We need to set the completion target dates for each phase of this long-term project based on what day of the week.
Discussing project management and setting deadlines relative to days of the week.
文化祭の準備期間を考慮すると、模擬店の出店はなんようびから開始するのが適切だと考えられます。
Considering the preparation period for the cultural festival, it is thought that setting up the food stalls from what day of the week would be appropriate.
Making a reasoned suggestion about the start day for event preparations.
来週の月曜日に予定されていた重要なプレゼンテーションは、予期せぬ事情によりなんようびに延期せざるを得なくなりました。
The important presentation scheduled for next Monday has unfortunately had to be postponed to what day of the week due to unforeseen circumstances.
Communicating a postponement and inquiring about the new day.
その歴史的建造物の一般公開は、観光客の動向を考慮し、なんようびから開始するのが望ましいでしょう。
Considering tourist trends, it would be desirable for the public opening of that historical building to commence from what day of the week.
Making a recommendation based on external factors like tourism.
来週の火曜日に予定されていた取締役会は、出席者の都合によりなんようびにリスケジュールされました。
The board of directors' meeting scheduled for Tuesday next week has been rescheduled to what day of the week due to the convenience of the attendees.
Reporting on a rescheduling event and indicating the new day.
この地域では、伝統的になんようびに市場が開かれる習慣があります。
In this region, there is a tradition of the market being held on what day of the week.
Referring to established local customs and traditions regarding market days.
来月予定されている研修プログラムの開始日について、参加者の皆様のご意見を伺いたいのですが、なんようびが最も適しているでしょうか？
Regarding the start date of the training program scheduled for next month, I would like to ask for everyone's opinions, what day of the week would be most suitable?
Soliciting opinions on the optimal start day for a training program.
来週の月曜日に予定されていた重要案件の審議は、予期せぬ事態により、なんようびに延期せざるを得ない状況となりました。
The deliberation on the important matter scheduled for next Monday has, due to unforeseen circumstances, resulted in a situation where it must be postponed to what day of the week.
Used in highly formal or critical situations, conveying a necessary postponement with sophisticated phrasing.
この歴史的建造物の一般公開の開始日を、観光客の集中を避けるため、なんようびを基準に慎重に検討する必要がある。
It is necessary to carefully consider the start day for the public opening of this historical building, based on what day of the week, in order to avoid tourist congestion.
Strategic consideration of event timing to manage logistics and avoid over-crowding.
来月開催される国際シンポジウムの開幕日は、参加者の国際的な移動スケジュールを鑑み、なんようびに設定するのが最も合理的であると判断されます。
The opening day of the international symposium to be held next month is determined to be most reasonable on what day of the week, taking into account the international travel schedules of participants.
Making a reasoned decision about an event's start day based on global logistical factors.
来週の火曜日に予定されていた最高経営責任者会議は、急遽、主要メンバーの海外出張と重なるため、なんようびにリスケジュールされることとなりました。
The meeting of the top executives, scheduled for Tuesday next week, has been rescheduled to what day of the week due to a sudden overlap with the overseas business trips of key members.
Explaining a rescheduling due to high-level executive travel conflicts.
この地域における伝統的な市場の開催日は、長年の慣習によりなんようびに固定されていますが、近年、その曜日変更の是非が議論されています。
The traditional market day in this region has been fixed on what day of the week due to long-standing custom, but in recent years, the advisability of changing that day has been debated.
Discussing the tradition of a market day and ongoing debates about changing it.
来週の月曜日に予定されていた重要な政治交渉は、予期せぬ外交問題の発生により、なんようびまで延期されることが極秘に決定されました。
The important political negotiations scheduled for next Monday have been secretly decided to be postponed until what day of the week due to the occurrence of an unexpected diplomatic issue.
Reporting on a highly sensitive postponement of political negotiations.
この文化祭の企画においては、準備期間の効率性を最大化するため、模擬店の出店開始日をなんようびと設定することが最も戦略的であると考えられます。
In the planning of this cultural festival, it is considered most strategic to set the start day for food stall operations on what day of the week, in order to maximize the efficiency of the preparation period.
Strategic planning for event operations, focusing on maximizing efficiency.
来月開催される国際学術会議の開始日について、世界中からの参加者の移動負担を最小限に抑えるため、なんようびに設定することが最も現実的であるという結論に至りました。
Regarding the start date of the international academic conference to be held next month, it has been concluded that setting it on what day of the week is most realistic in order to minimize the travel burden of participants from around the world.
Concluding on the most realistic start day for an international conference based on participant travel.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— What day of the week is it?
すみません、なんようびですか？ (Sumimasen, nanyōbi desu ka? - Excuse me, what day of the week is it?)
— What day of the week is tomorrow?
明日の予定を確認したいのですが、明日はなんようびですか？ (Ashita no yotei o kakunin shitai no desu ga, ashita wa nanyōbi desu ka? - I want to check tomorrow's schedule, what day of the week is tomorrow?)
— What day of the week is the meeting?
来週の会議はなんようびですか？ (Raishū no kaigi wa nanyōbi desu ka? - What day of the week is next week's meeting?)
— What day is good?
今週、食事に行きませんか？なんようびがいいですか？ (Konshū, shokuji ni ikimasen ka? Nanyōbi ga ii desu ka? - Shall we go out for a meal this week? What day is good?)
— What day of the week is that event?
夏祭りはそのイベントはなんようびですか？ (Natsumatsuri wa sono ibento wa nanyōbi desu ka? - What day of the week is the summer festival?)
— What day is it today? (Casual)
あれ、今日は今日はなんようび？ (Are, kyō wa kyō wa nanyōbi? - Huh, what day is it today?)
— Please submit it by [day of the week].
レポートはなんようびまでに出してください。 (Repōto wa nanyōbi made ni dashite kudasai. - Please submit the report by [day of the week].)
— Are you open from [day of the week]?
このお店はなんようびから営業していますか？ (Kono omise wa nanyōbi kara eigyō shite imasu ka? - Is this store open from [day of the week]?)
— Next week's [day of the week]
来週の月曜日に会議があります。(Raishū no getsuyōbi ni kaigi ga arimasu. - There is a meeting next week on Monday.)
— On what day of the week
その番組は何曜日に放送されますか？ (Sono bangumi wa nan yōbi ni hōsō saremasu ka? - On what day of the week is that program broadcast?)
Often Confused With
'Nan nichi' asks for the date (e.g., the 15th), while 'nanyōbi' asks for the day of the week (e.g., Monday). They are distinct temporal queries.
'Nanji' asks for the time of day (e.g., 3 o'clock), which is different from the day of the week.
'Itsu' means 'When?' and is a broader question that can encompass day, date, or time. 'Nanyōbi' is specific to the day of the week.
Idioms & Expressions
— This idiom means 'fall down seven times, get up eight'. It emphasizes perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity. While not directly related to 'nanyōbi', it speaks to the Japanese mindset of enduring through challenges, which can occur on any day of the week.
人生は七転び八起きだ。どんな困難も乗り越えよう。(Jinsei wa nanakorobi yaoki da. Donna konnan mo norikoeyō. - Life is about falling seven times and getting up eight. Let's overcome any hardship.)
General— Literally 'one day feels like a thousand autumns'. This idiom expresses a strong longing or impatience for something to happen. You might feel this way if you are eagerly awaiting an event that is scheduled for a specific day of the week.
君に会えるのを一日千秋の思いで待っているよ。(Kimi ni aeru no o ichinichi senshū no omoi de matte iru yo. - I am waiting to see you with the feeling of one day being a thousand autumns.)
Literary/Emotive— This idiom refers to someone who is a 'three-day monk', meaning they give up easily on things they start. It's the opposite of perseverance. If someone is a 'mikkabōzu', their commitment to any scheduled activity, regardless of the day of the week, might be questionable.
彼は新しい趣味を始めても三日坊主で終わってしまう。(Kare wa atarashii shumi o hajitemo mikkabōzu de owatte shimau. - Even if he starts a new hobby, he ends up giving up after three days.)
Informal/Figurative— This means 'the beginning of the week'. It's a common phrase used to refer to Monday or the early part of the week, contrasting with '週の終わり' (shū no owari - the end of the week).
週の初めはいつも忙しいです。(Shū no hajime wa itsumo isogashii desu. - The beginning of the week is always busy.)
General— This means 'the end of the week'. It typically refers to Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, and is often associated with relaxation or weekend activities.
週の終わりに友達と旅行に行きます。(Shū no owari ni tomodachi to ryokō ni ikimasu. - I am going on a trip with friends at the end of the week.)
General— This means 'every day'. It's a constant that applies to all days of the week, highlighting regularity.
彼は毎日ジョギングをしています。(Kare wa mainichi jogingu o shite imasu. - He goes jogging every day.)
General— This means 'every week'. It refers to an event or activity that occurs repeatedly within the span of a week, regardless of the specific day.
毎週、日本語のクラスがあります。(Maishū, Nihongo no kurasu ga arimasu. - There is a Japanese class every week.)
General— This means 'weekday'. It refers to the days of the week that are not the weekend, typically Monday through Friday.
平日は仕事で忙しいです。(Heijitsu wa shigoto de isogashii desu. - I am busy with work on weekdays.)
General— This means 'weekend'. It refers to Saturday and Sunday, the days typically set aside for rest and leisure.
週末は何をしますか？ (Shūmatsu wa nani o shimasu ka? - What will you do on the weekend?)
General— This means 'regular closing day' or 'regular day off'. It's the specific day of the week a business is closed, which is important information when asking about opening hours.
このレストランの定休日は火曜日です。(Kono resutoran no teikyūbi wa Kayōbi desu. - The regular closing day for this restaurant is Tuesday.)
Business/ServiceEasily Confused
Both 'nanyōbi' and 'nan nichi' are used to ask about time and use the character '日' (day/sun) in their components. Learners might mix them up.
'Nanyōbi' specifically asks for the day of the week (Monday, Tuesday, etc.). 'Nan nichi' specifically asks for the numerical date (the 1st, the 15th, the 28th). You need to know which information you are seeking.
今日は<strong>なんようび</strong>ですか？ (What day of the week is it today?) vs. 今日は<strong>なんにち</strong>ですか？ (What date is it today?)
Both are common questions about time, and learners might use them interchangeably if not careful.
'Nanyōbi' is about the day of the week. 'Nanji' is about the specific hour of the day. They refer to different granularities of time.
会議は<strong>なんようび</strong>ですか？ (What day of the week is the meeting?) vs. 会議は<strong>なんじ</strong>からですか？ (What time does the meeting start?)
'Itsu' means 'When?' and can encompass asking about the day of the week, date, or time.
'Nanyōbi' is a more specific question that targets only the day of the week. 'Itsu' is a broader question that requires a more general answer about timing.
パーティーは<strong>いつ</strong>ですか？ (When is the party? - Answer could be '月曜日' or '来週' or '７時') vs. パーティーは<strong>なんようび</strong>ですか？ (What day of the week is the party? - Answer must be a day like '月曜日').
'Yōbi' is the core component of 'nanyōbi' and means 'day of the week'. Learners might try to use it as a standalone question.
'Yōbi' is a noun meaning 'day of the week' and is used as a suffix (e.g., 月曜日). 'Nanyōbi' is an interrogative phrase meaning 'What day of the week?'.
月<strong>曜日</strong> (Getsuyōbi - Monday) vs. <strong>なんようび</strong>ですか？ (Nanyōbi desu ka? - What day of the week is it?)
'Nan' is part of 'nanyōbi'. Learners might confuse it with 'nani' or try to use other question words.
'Nan' is used before words starting with 't' or 'd', or before particles like 'nen' or 'nichi'. 'Nani' is used in other contexts. For 'yōbi', 'nan' is correct. 'Nan' itself means 'what'.
<strong>なんようび</strong>ですか？ (Nanyōbi desu ka? - What day of the week is it?) vs. <strong>なに</strong>をしますか？ (Nani o shimasu ka? - What will you do?)
Sentence Patterns
なんようびですか？
今日は<strong>なんようびですか？</strong> (Kyō wa <strong>nanyōbi desu ka?</strong> - What day of the week is it today?)
Xはなんようびですか？
会議は<strong>なんようびですか？</strong> (Kaigi wa <strong>nanyōbi desu ka?</strong> - What day of the week is the meeting?)
Xはなんようびがいいですか？
食事は<strong>なんようびがいいですか？</strong> (Shokuji wa <strong>nanyōbi ga ii desu ka?</strong> - What day of the week is good for a meal?)
Xはなんようび(に)ありますか？
パーティーは<strong>なんようび</strong>にありますか？ (Pātī wa <strong>nanyōbi</strong> ni arimasu ka? - On what day of the week is the party?)
明日はなんようびですか？
<strong>明日はなんようびですか？</strong> (<strong>Ashita wa nanyōbi desu ka?</strong> - What day of the week is tomorrow?)
Xはなんようびからですか？
旅行は<strong>なんようびから</strong>始まりますか？ (Ryokō wa <strong>nanyōbi kara</strong> hajimarimasu ka? - From what day of the week does the trip start?)
Xはなんようびまでですか？
この展示会は<strong>なんようびまで</strong>やっていますか？ (Kono tenjikai wa <strong>nanyōbi made</strong> yatte imasu ka? - Until what day of the week is this exhibition open?)
Xはなんようびがいい？ (Casual)
明日、遊ばない？<strong>なんようびがいい？</strong> (Ashita, asobanai? <strong>Nanyōbi ga ii?</strong> - Wanna hang out tomorrow? What day is good?)
Word Family
Nouns
Related
How to Use It
Very High
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Using 'nani yōbi' instead of 'nanyōbi'.
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なんようび (nanyōbi)
The correct form is 'nanyōbi'. 'Nan' is used before 'yōbi' in this specific context. 'Nani' is used in other interrogative phrases.
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Pronouncing 'yōbi' with a short 'o' sound.
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なんようび (nan-yoh-bee, with a long 'o' sound)
The 'ō' indicates a long vowel sound. Holding the 'o' sound longer is crucial for correct pronunciation.
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Asking 'なんようび？' in a formal situation.
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なんようびですか？ (nanyōbi desu ka?)
While casual, dropping 'desu ka' can sound abrupt in formal settings. Always use the polite form 'desu ka' when unsure.
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Confusing 'nanyōbi' (day of the week) with 'nan nichi' (date).
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Use 'nanyōbi' for days like Monday/Tuesday, and 'nan nichi' for dates like the 15th/28th.
These are distinct questions. 'Nanyōbi' asks for the name of the day, while 'nan nichi' asks for the number of the day in the month.
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Forgetting the topic marker 'wa' when asking about a specific event.
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会議はなんようびですか？ (Kaigi wa nanyōbi desu ka?)
When asking about a specific subject (like a meeting), it's common and grammatically sound to mark it with the topic particle 'wa'.
Tips
Master the Long 'ō'
The 'ō' in 'yōbi' is a long vowel sound. Practice saying it like the 'o' in 'go' but hold it slightly longer. Mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other words.
Politeness Matters
Always use 'なんようびですか？' (nanyōbi desu ka?) in most situations. The casual 'なんようび？' (nanyōbi?) should be reserved for very close friends or family.
Distinguish from 'Nan nichi'
Remember that 'nanyōbi' is for the day of the week (Mon, Tue) and 'nan nichi' is for the date (1st, 15th). They are different questions.
Associate with Calendars
When you see a calendar, try to identify the days of the week in Japanese and practice asking 'なんようびですか？' for each day.
Role-Playing Scenarios
Practice asking and answering 'nanyōbi' questions in various scenarios: planning a party, scheduling a meeting, asking about a TV show's broadcast day.
Importance of Schedules
In Japan, schedules are important. Being able to accurately ask and answer about days of the week is a sign of good communication and respect for others' time.
Using Particles
Learn how particles like 'wa' (topic marker) and 'ni' (location/time marker) are used with 'nanyōbi' to form more complex questions about specific events.
Related Time Words
Once you're comfortable with 'nanyōbi', learn related time words like 'kyō' (today), 'ashita' (tomorrow), and the names of the days themselves.
Listen for Answers
When you hear someone ask 'nanyōbi?', listen carefully for the answer, which will be one of the days of the week. This reinforces your vocabulary for the days.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine you are lost in Japan and need to ask for directions to a specific event. You point to a flyer and ask, 'This event, NAN-nyōbi?'. The 'NAN' sounds like you're asking 'What?' in a slightly exasperated way, and 'nyōbi' sounds a bit like 'new bee' trying to figure out its schedule. So, 'What's this new bee's schedule?' leads you to 'What day of the week?'.
Visual Association
Picture a calendar with all the days of the week (Monday to Sunday) clearly labeled. Next to it, imagine a confused tourist holding up a sign that says '?' and pointing to the calendar. The question mark represents 'nan' (what), and the calendar represents 'yōbi' (day of the week).
Word Web
Challenge
Try asking 'なんようびですか？' to yourself every morning for a week and answer it truthfully. Then, try asking a friend (even if they don't speak Japanese, you can practice the phrasing) about the day of the week for a fictional event.
Word Origin
The phrase なんようび (nanyōbi) is derived from classical Chinese and Japanese linguistic structures. 'Nan' (何) is a native Japanese word for 'what', while 'yōbi' (曜日) is a Sino-Japanese word originating from Chinese characters (曜日). The characters 曜 (yō) means 'shine' or 'radiance' (referring to celestial bodies), and 日 (bi/nichi) means 'day' or 'sun'. Together, they form the concept of 'day of the week'.
Original meaning: Literally 'what day of radiance/sun'. The 'yō' (曜) aspect historically referred to the days named after celestial bodies (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn).
Japonic languages, influenced by Chinese.Cultural Context
There are no specific sensitivities related to asking 'nanyōbi'. It is a neutral and standard question. However, as with any question about timing, politeness markers like 'desu ka' are important in formal or unfamiliar contexts.
In English-speaking cultures, we also frequently ask 'What day of the week is it?' or 'What day is your meeting?', so the concept is directly transferable. The structure of the week and the names of the days are universally understood.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Making plans with friends
- <strong>なんようび</strong>がいいですか？
- 来週、空いてる？
- 週末はどう？
Scheduling appointments (doctor, hairdresser)
- <strong>なんようび</strong>が空いていますか？
- 予約はできますか？
- 午前中がいいです。
Inquiring about event schedules
- そのイベントは<strong>なんようび</strong>ですか？
- いつから始まりますか？
- 何時までやっていますか？
Asking for basic daily information
- 今日は<strong>なんようび</strong>ですか？
- 明日は<strong>なんようび</strong>？
- 今日は何日？
Business meeting arrangements
- 会議は<strong>なんようび</strong>に設定しましょうか？
- ご都合の良い<strong>なんようび</strong>はございますか？
- 来週の予定を教えていただけますか？
Conversation Starters
"すみません、今日の予定は何でしたっけ？なんようびでしたっけ？"
"来週の月曜日は何か予定がありますか？それともなんようびがいいですか？"
"この映画、面白そうですね！なんようびに公開されるか知っていますか？"
"週末の計画はもう立てましたか？なんようびに集まりませんか？"
"明日の天気はどうでしょう？あと、明日はなんようびでしたっけ？"
Journal Prompts
Today is [day of the week]. I want to ask myself, '今日は<strong>なんようび</strong>ですか？'. Then, I will write down one thing I want to accomplish today.
Next week, I plan to [activity]. I need to decide on a specific day. What day would be best? Which day is '<strong>なんようび</strong>がいいですか？' for this activity?
Think about a past event that happened on a specific day of the week. Describe the event and the day it occurred using 'Xは<strong>なんようび</strong>でした' (X was on [day of the week]).
If you could choose any day of the week to have a special holiday, which day would it be and why? How would you ask 'If I could choose, <strong>なんようび</strong>がいいですか？'
Imagine you're making plans for a friend's birthday next month. Write down potential days and then practice asking '<strong>なんようび</strong>がいいですか？' to your imaginary friend.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThe most common and polite way is 'なんようびですか？' (Nanyōbi desu ka?). You can also add '今日は' (Kyō wa - Today) at the beginning to specifically ask about today: '今日はなんようびですか？' (Kyō wa nanyōbi desu ka?).
You should use 'nan' before 'yōbi', forming 'nanyōbi'. Using 'nani yōbi' is grammatically incorrect.
'Nanyōbi' asks for the day of the week (Monday, Tuesday, etc.). 'Nan nichi' asks for the date (the 1st, the 15th, etc.). They are different types of temporal inquiries.
You can say '[Event Name] はなんようびですか？' (e.g., 会議はなんようびですか？ - Kaigi wa nanyōbi desu ka? - What day of the week is the meeting?). You can also use the particle 'ni': '[Event Name] はなんようびにありますか？' ([Event Name] wa nanyōbi ni arimasu ka? - On what day of the week is the event?).
Yes, among close friends, you can sometimes drop 'desu ka' and just say 'なんようび？' (Nanyōbi?). However, it's generally safer for learners to use the polite form 'なんようびですか？'.
'Yōbi' (曜日) itself means 'day of the week'. It's a suffix added to the names of the days, like 月曜日 (Getsuyōbi - Monday) or 日曜日 (Nichiyōbi - Sunday).
You can ask 'なんようびがいいですか？' (Nanyōbi ga ii desu ka? - What day is good?) or 'ご都合の良いなんようびは？' (Go-tsugō no yoi nanyōbi wa? - What day is convenient for you?)
It's pronounced /na.njo̞ː.bi/ or /nɑn.joʊ.bi/, with the stress on the second syllable, 'yō'. Make sure to pronounce the 'ō' as a long 'o' sound.
No, 'nanyōbi' is strictly for the day of the week. To ask about the date, you need to use 'なんにちですか？' (Nan nichi desu ka?).
While all days are part of the standard week, some traditional events or festivals might be associated with specific days. However, the question 'nanyōbi' itself is neutral and used for general scheduling.
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Summary
なんようび (nanyōbi) is the fundamental Japanese phrase for asking 'What day of the week?'. It is crucial for making plans, understanding schedules, and navigating daily life in Japan, and is typically used in the form 'なんようびですか？' (nanyōbi desu ka?).
- なんようび (nanyōbi) means 'What day of the week?'.
- Used to ask about specific days for plans or events.
- Essential for scheduling and time-related conversations.
Master the Long 'ō'
The 'ō' in 'yōbi' is a long vowel sound. Practice saying it like the 'o' in 'go' but hold it slightly longer. Mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other words.
Politeness Matters
Always use 'なんようびですか？' (nanyōbi desu ka?) in most situations. The casual 'なんようび？' (nanyōbi?) should be reserved for very close friends or family.
Distinguish from 'Nan nichi'
Remember that 'nanyōbi' is for the day of the week (Mon, Tue) and 'nan nichi' is for the date (1st, 15th). They are different questions.
Context is Key
Pay attention to the context when you hear 'nanyōbi'. Is it a question about today, tomorrow, or a specific event? This will help you understand the speaker's intent.
Related Content
Related Grammar Rules
More general words
いくつか
B1An unspecified small number of things; some, a few.
ちょっと
A2A little; a moment; a bit. Small amount or short time.
すこし
A2A little; a few.
さっき
A2A little while ago; a short time past.
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
