曜日
day of the week
曜日 30秒了解
- 曜日 (yōbi) is the standard Japanese noun for 'day of the week,' essential for any basic conversation about time, schedules, or daily routines.
- It consists of two kanji: 曜 (shining/day of the week) and 日 (day/sun), and acts as a suffix for all seven specific day names.
- To ask 'What day of the week is it?', you use the phrase '何曜日' (nan-yōbi), which is distinct from asking for the date.
- The system is based on the 'Seven Luminaries' (Sun, Moon, and five planets), providing a consistent logic for memorizing the names of the days.
The Japanese word 曜日 (ようび - yōbi) is the essential noun used to denote a 'day of the week.' In the Japanese linguistic framework, the concept of a seven-day week is relatively modern in terms of daily common usage, having been standardized during the Meiji era, though its roots trace back much further to ancient astrological systems. When you use this word, you are referring to the specific name of the day within the weekly cycle, such as Monday or Tuesday. It is a compound word consisting of two kanji: 曜 (yō), which means 'shining' or 'day of the week,' and 日 (bi/hi), which means 'sun' or 'day.' Together, they form the suffix that is attached to the elements representing each day.
- Core Concept
- The term 曜日 acts as the standard classifier for the seven days of the week. Unlike English, where day names are distinct words (Monday, Tuesday), Japanese day names are constructed by prefixing a specific element (Moon, Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, Earth, Sun) to this suffix.
今日は何曜日ですか? (Kyō wa nan-yōbi desu ka?)
The usage of 曜日 is ubiquitous in daily life. Whether you are scheduling a business meeting, checking the opening hours of a local shop, or making plans with friends, you will encounter this word. In casual conversation, the 'bi' part is sometimes dropped, or the whole 'yōbi' is omitted if the context is clear, but in any formal or standard setting, the full term is required. The system is deeply tied to the 'Seven Luminaries' (Shichiyō), which are the celestial bodies visible to the naked eye: the Sun, the Moon, and the five planets known in antiquity.
- The Kanji Breakdown
- The first kanji 曜 is complex (18 strokes) and specifically used for the days of the week. The second kanji 日 is one of the most basic characters, representing the sun or a day.
ゴミの収集曜日を確認してください。 (Gomi no shūshū yōbi o kakunin shite kudasai.)
In Japanese culture, certain days of the week might carry specific connotations, though modern life mostly follows the standard Monday-to-Friday work week. Understanding 曜日 is the first step toward mastering Japanese time expressions. It is a foundational word that appears in almost every beginner textbook because it is impossible to function in Japanese society without knowing how to navigate the weekly calendar. From train schedules to television guides, 曜日 is the anchor of temporal organization.
- Social Context
- In professional environments, specifying the 曜日 is crucial to avoid misunderstandings, especially when dates might be confused. It is common practice to write the day of the week in parentheses after the date, such as 10月5日(月).
毎週の同じ曜日に会議があります。 (Maishū no onaji yōbi ni kaigi ga arimasu.)
好きな曜日は金曜日です。 (Sukina yōbi wa kin'yōbi desu.)
この曜日は都合が悪いです。 (Kono yōbi wa tsugō ga warui desu.)
Using 曜日 (yōbi) correctly in Japanese requires an understanding of how it interacts with particles and other time-related words. The most common grammatical structure involves the particle に (ni) to indicate a specific point in time when an action occurs. For example, 'On Monday' becomes '月曜日に' (Getsuyōbi ni). However, when 曜日 is used as the subject or the topic of the sentence, the particles は (wa) or が (ga) are used instead. Beginners often struggle with whether to include the full 'yōbi' or just the first kanji. In formal writing and clear speech, the full 'yōbi' is preferred.
- The Question Form
- To ask 'What day of the week?', you combine 何 (nan - what) with 曜日. The resulting phrase '何曜日' (nan-yōbi) is the standard way to inquire about the day. It is often followed by the copula 'desu ka'.
テストは何曜日にありますか? (Tesuto wa nan-yōbi ni arimasu ka?)
Another important aspect is the use of 曜日 in lists. When mentioning multiple days, you can use the particle と (to) or も (mo). For instance, 'Monday and Wednesday' would be '月曜日と水曜日'. If you want to say 'even on Sundays,' you would say '日曜日でも'. The flexibility of the word allows it to be modified by adjectives like '次の' (tsugi no - next) or '前の' (mae no - previous). You might say '次の日曜日に会いましょう' (Let's meet next Sunday).
- Common Suffix Usage
- The word 曜日 acts as a suffix for the seven specific days: 日 (Sun), 月 (Moon), 火 (Fire), 水 (Water), 木 (Wood), 金 (Metal/Gold), and 土 (Earth). Memorizing these seven elements is key to using 曜日 effectively.
どの曜日が一番忙しいですか? (Dono yōbi ga ichiban isogashii desu ka?)
In more advanced contexts, 曜日 can be part of compound nouns. For example, '定休日' (teikyūbi) means a regular day off, but people often specify the 曜日 to clarify. You might hear '定休日は水曜日です' (The regular day off is Wednesday). Understanding how 曜日 functions as a temporal marker helps in constructing complex sentences about habits, schedules, and historical events. It is also used when discussing shifts (shifuto) in part-time jobs, where one might say '土曜日のシフトに入っています' (I am on the Saturday shift).
- Politeness Levels
- The word itself doesn't change with politeness, but the surrounding verbs and copulas do. Whether you use 'desu' or 'da', 'yōbi' remains the same.
明日の曜日を間違えました。 (Ashita no yōbi o machigaemashita.)
来週の何曜日が空いていますか? (Raishū no nan-yōbi ga aite imasu ka?)
このレストランは特定の曜日だけ開いています。 (Kono resutoran wa tokutei no yōbi dake aite imasu.)
In Japan, you will hear 曜日 (yōbi) in a vast array of social and professional settings. One of the most common places is in public transportation announcements. While trains usually run on a similar schedule, there are distinct 'weekday' (heijitsu) and 'weekend/holiday' (dochū-shukujitsu) schedules. Station staff or automated voices might announce that certain express trains only run on specific 曜日. Similarly, in schools, the entire daily rhythm is dictated by the 曜日. Students and teachers constantly refer to the 'Monday schedule' or 'Friday schedule,' often using the phrase '月曜日の時間割' (Getsuyōbi no jikanwari).
- Retail and Services
- When entering a shop or clinic, you will often see a sign listing the 'business days.' These signs almost always use the 曜日 abbreviations. A clerk might tell you, '水曜日は定休日です' (Wednesday is our regular day off).
ゴミの日は何曜日ですか? (Gomi no hi wa nan-yōbi desu ka?)
Television and radio broadcasts are another major source. Weather forecasters will go through the weekly forecast, repeating the 曜日 for each day as they show the icons for sun, rain, or clouds. Variety shows often have 'regular' guests who only appear on a specific 曜日, and they are referred to as the 'Monday regular' (Getsuyō regyurā). In the workplace, the word is used in every meeting request. '来週の火曜日、お時間はありますか?' (Do you have time next Tuesday?) is a standard polite inquiry.
- Community Life
- In local neighborhoods, trash collection is the most frequent context for 曜日. Different types of waste (burnable, non-burnable, recyclables) are collected on different 曜日, and missing the correct 曜日 is a common social faux pas for newcomers.
毎週金曜日はカレーの日です。 (Maishū kin'yōbi wa karē no hi desu.)
Even in casual settings, like making plans with friends over LINE (the popular messaging app), 曜日 is used constantly. Someone might ask, '何曜日が暇?' (What day are you free?). Because Japanese culture values punctuality and clear scheduling, being precise about the 曜日 is considered polite and necessary. You will also see it in the titles of books or movies, such as 'Wednesday's Child' or 'The Tuesday Club,' translated using the Japanese equivalents.
- Office Culture
- Deadlines are often set by 曜日. '今週の金曜日までに提出してください' (Please submit it by this Friday) is a phrase every office worker knows well.
明日は何曜日だっけ? (Ashita wa nan-yōbi dakke?)
この番組は毎週土曜日に放送されます。 (Kono bangumi wa maishū doyōbi ni hōsō saremasu.)
どの曜日でも大丈夫です。 (Dono yōbi demo daijōbu desu.)
Learning 曜日 (yōbi) seems straightforward, but there are several pitfalls that English speakers and other learners frequently encounter. The most common mistake is confusing 'Nan-yōbi' (What day of the week) with 'Nan-nichi' (What day of the month). In English, the question 'What day is it?' can be answered with either 'Monday' or 'the 5th.' In Japanese, these are strictly separated. If you ask 'Nan-nichi desu ka?', a Japanese person will give you the date (e.g., the 10th), not the day of the week. To get 'Monday,' you must specifically ask 'Nan-yōbi desu ka?'.
- Kanji Complexity
- The kanji 曜 is notoriously difficult for beginners to write. It has 18 strokes and a complex structure. A common mistake is miscounting the strokes in the right-hand side or forgetting the 'sun' radical on the left. Many learners mistakenly substitute it with a simpler character that sounds similar.
❌ 何日ですか? (Nan-nichi desu ka?) - Used when you want the date.
✅ 何曜日ですか? (Nan-yōbi desu ka?) - Used when you want the day of the week.
Another frequent error involves the use of particles. As mentioned earlier, the particle に (ni) is used for 'on [day],' but it is often omitted in casual speech or when using words like 'today' (kyō) or 'tomorrow' (ashita). However, learners sometimes over-apply this and say 'Kyō ni getsuyōbi desu,' which is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is 'Kyō wa getsuyōbi desu.' Additionally, mixing up the planetary elements is a classic hurdle. Forgetting that Tuesday is 'Fire' (火) and Thursday is 'Wood' (木) can lead to missed appointments.
- Pronunciation Pitfalls
- The long vowel in 'yō' (よう) is crucial. If you pronounce it as a short 'yo,' it might be misunderstood. Similarly, the 'bi' (び) should be a clear 'b' sound, not confused with 'hi' (ひ), which is how the character is pronounced in other contexts.
❌ 月曜にいきます。 (Getsuyō ni ikimasu.) - Too casual/incomplete.
✅ 月曜日にいきます。 (Getsuyōbi ni ikimasu.) - Standard and clear.
In terms of social usage, a common mistake is not checking the calendar for 'National Holidays' (shukujitsu). In Japan, if a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a 'substitute holiday' (furikae kyūjitsu). Learners often assume the 曜日 schedule remains the same, but businesses might be closed. Also, be careful with the word 'shū' (week). Saying 'Kono yōbi' (this day of the week) is fine, but if you mean 'this week,' you must use 'konshū' (今週).
- The 'Bi' vs 'Hi' Confusion
- While 日 is read as 'bi' in 曜日, it is read as 'hi' in 'hi' (day/sun) or 'nichi' in dates. Beginners often mix these up, saying 'Getsuyō-nichi' instead of 'Getsuyōbi'.
❌ 火曜日は火の日です。 (Kayōbi wa hi no hi desu.) - Redundant and confusing.
✅ 火曜日は火星の日です。 (Kayōbi wa Kasei no hi desu.) - Tuesday is the day of Mars.
❌ 土曜日は休みの日じゃない。 (Doyōbi wa yasumi no hi janai.) - Grammatically okay, but often culturally incorrect as Saturdays are often days off.
❌ 何の曜日? (Nan no yōbi?) - Unnatural.
✅ 何曜日? (Nan-yōbi?) - Correct.
While 曜日 (yōbi) is the standard term for a day of the week, several other words share overlapping meanings or are used in related contexts. Understanding the nuances between these terms is essential for achieving fluency. The most basic related word is 日 (hi / nichi), which simply means 'day.' While 曜日 specifies the position in the weekly cycle, 日 can refer to a 24-hour period, the sun, or a specific date. For example, 'hi ga nagai' means 'the days are long' (referring to daylight), whereas 'yōbi' could never be used in that context.
- 曜日 vs. 日にち (Hinichi)
- 日にち (hinichi) refers to the 'date' or 'number of days.' If you are talking about the specific calendar date (like October 5th), you use 'hinichi' or 'hizuke.' 曜日 is strictly for Monday through Sunday.
旅行の日にちを決めましょう。 (Ryokō no hinichi o kimemashō.) vs. 旅行の曜日を決めましょう。 (Ryokō no yōbi o kimemashō.)
Another set of alternatives includes 平日 (heijitsu) and 週末 (shūmatsu). 平日 refers to weekdays (Monday through Friday), while 週末 refers to the weekend. These are used when the specific day of the week is less important than the category of the day. For instance, 'Heijitsu wa isogashii' (I'm busy on weekdays). There is also 週 (shū), which means 'week.' You will often see 曜日 combined with 週 in phrases like 'shū no mannaka no yōbi' (a day in the middle of the week).
- The 'Luminaries' (Shichiyō)
- In historical or astrological contexts, the days are referred to as the 'Shichiyō' (Seven Luminaries). While you won't use this in daily speech, you might see it in literature or on traditional calendars (reki).
週末は何曜日から始まりますか? (Shūmatsu wa nan-yōbi kara hajimarimasu ka?)
For formal scheduling, you might encounter 当該曜日 (tōgai yōbi), meaning 'the day of the week in question.' This is common in legal or official documents. In casual settings, people might use 曜 (yō) as a standalone suffix, like 'Getsu-yō' instead of 'Getsu-yōbi.' This is very common in spoken Japanese among friends. Lastly, 祝日 (shukujitsu) means a national holiday. A holiday might fall on any 曜日, and when it does, it often changes the character of that day from a working day to a day of rest.
- Comparison Table
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- 曜日 (Yōbi): Specific name (Mon, Tue...)
- 日 (Hi): General day or sun
- 日付 (Hizuke): Calendar date (YYYY/MM/DD)
- 平日 (Heijitsu): Weekday
明日の曜日は祝日ではありません。 (Ashita no yōbi wa shukujitsu dewa arimasen.)
特定の曜日に割引があります。 (Tokutei no yōbi ni waribiki ga arimasu.)
どの曜日が一番好きですか? (Dono yōbi ga ichiban suki desu ka?)
How Formal Is It?
"次回の会議は来週の月曜日を予定しております。"
"今日は何曜日ですか?"
"今日、何曜だっけ?"
"にちようびは、おやすみだね!"
"やっと花金だ!"
趣味小知识
The planetary names for the days of the week in Japanese (Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, Earth) perfectly match the Latin-based names used in many Western languages (Mars/Fire, Mercury/Water, Jupiter/Wood, Venus/Metal, Saturn/Earth). This is because both systems share a common root in ancient Babylonian and Hellenistic astrology.
发音指南
- Pronouncing 'yō' as a short 'yo'.
- Confusing 'bi' with 'hi'.
- Adding an extra 'u' sound at the end.
- Not elongating the 'o' sound sufficiently.
- Pronouncing the 'y' too softly.
难度评级
The kanji 曜 is complex with many strokes, but it is very common and recognizable.
Writing 曜 correctly requires practice due to its 18 strokes.
The pronunciation is straightforward and easy for English speakers.
Easy to hear, though it can be shortened in fast speech.
接下来学什么
前置知识
接下来学习
高级
需要掌握的语法
Particle 'ni' for specific time
月曜日に会いましょう。
Particle 'wa' for topic
今日は日曜日です。
Particle 'kara/made' for duration
月曜日から金曜日まで働きます。
Question word 'nan-yōbi'
明日は何曜日ですか?
Noun modification with 'no'
金曜日の夜。
按水平分级的例句
今日は月曜日です。
Today is Monday.
Uses the basic 'A wa B desu' structure.
明日は何曜日ですか?
What day of the week is tomorrow?
Nan-yōbi is the question word for 'what day of the week'.
日曜日にデパートへ行きます。
I go to the department store on Sunday.
The particle 'ni' marks the specific day an action happens.
火曜日は休みです。
Tuesday is a holiday/day off.
Yasumi can mean a break, a holiday, or a day off.
水曜日と木曜日に勉強します。
I study on Wednesday and Thursday.
The particle 'to' connects two nouns (days).
金曜日の夜にパーティーがあります。
There is a party on Friday night.
The particle 'no' connects the day to the time of day (night).
土曜日は忙しいです。
Saturday is busy.
Isogashii is an i-adjective describing the day.
好きな曜日は金曜日です。
My favorite day of the week is Friday.
Suki-na is a na-adjective modifying yōbi.
毎週月曜日にテニスをします。
I play tennis every Monday.
Maishū (every week) is used to show a recurring schedule.
ゴミの曜日はいつですか?
When is the day (of the week) for trash?
Itsu (when) is used to ask for the time/day.
月曜日から金曜日まで働きます。
I work from Monday to Friday.
Kara... made... means 'from... to...'.
次の日曜日は暇ですか?
Are you free next Sunday?
Tsugi no (next) modifies the day.
このレストランは水曜日が定休日です。
This restaurant's regular holiday is Wednesday.
Teikyūbi is a common term for a business's regular day off.
土曜日も仕事があります。
I have work on Saturday too.
The particle 'mo' means 'also' or 'too'.
何曜日のクラスが一番いいですか?
Which day's class is the best?
Nan-yōbi no (which day's) uses 'no' to modify the noun 'class'.
昨日の曜日は木曜日でした。
Yesterday's day of the week was Thursday.
Deshita is the past tense of desu.
会議の曜日を月曜日に変更しました。
I changed the day of the meeting to Monday.
Henkō suru means 'to change' or 'to modify'.
どの曜日でも、午後なら空いています。
Any day of the week is fine, as long as it's in the afternoon.
Dono yōbi demo means 'no matter which day' or 'any day'.
特定の曜日にだけセールが行われます。
Sales are held only on specific days of the week.
Tokutei no means 'specific' or 'particular'.
彼は曜日を間違えて、今日来ませんでした。
He got the day of the week wrong and didn't come today.
Machigaete is the te-form of machigau (to make a mistake).
毎週同じ曜日にジムに通っています。
I go to the gym on the same day every week.
Kayotte iru means 'to commute' or 'to go regularly'.
来週の何曜日が一番都合がいいですか?
What day of the week next week is most convenient for you?
Tsugō ga ii means 'convenient' regarding time.
日曜日は家族と過ごす曜日と決めています。
I have decided that Sunday is the day to spend with my family.
To kimete iru means 'to have decided' or 'to make it a rule'.
このカレンダーは曜日が英語で書いてあります。
This calendar has the days of the week written in English.
Kaite arimasu shows a state resulting from an action.
そのイベントは、曜日によって開催時間が異なります。
The event's opening hours vary depending on the day of the week.
Yotte means 'depending on' or 'according to'.
隔週の金曜日に、社内勉強会が開かれます。
An internal study session is held every other Friday.
Kakushū means 'every other week'.
曜日感覚がなくなるほど忙しい日々が続いています。
Busy days continue to the point where I'm losing my sense of what day it is.
Yōbi kankaku refers to the 'sense of the day of the week'.
彼は、曜日ごとに違う色のネクタイを締めます。
He wears a different colored tie for each day of the week.
Goto ni means 'every' or 'for each'.
祝日が日曜日の場合、翌日の月曜日が振替休日となります。
If a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a substitute holiday.
Furikae kyūjitsu is a substitute holiday.
この地域では、曜日ごとにゴミの分別ルールが厳しく決まっています。
In this area, trash separation rules are strictly determined for each day of the week.
Kibishiku means 'strictly'.
彼女は、特定の曜日だけ働くパートタイムの仕事を探しています。
She is looking for a part-time job where she only works on specific days of the week.
Dake means 'only'.
曜日の名前の由来を調べると、古代の天文学に行き着きます。
When you research the origin of the names of the days, you arrive at ancient astronomy.
Yurai means 'origin' or 'source'.
週休二日制の導入により、土曜日の過ごし方が大きく変わりました。
With the introduction of the five-day work week, the way people spend Saturdays has changed significantly.
Dōnyū means 'introduction' or 'implementation'.
曜日という概念が、現代社会の労働リズムを支配していると言っても過言ではありません。
It is no exaggeration to say that the concept of 'days of the week' governs the rhythm of labor in modern society.
To itte mo kagon dewa arimasen is a formal way to say 'it's no exaggeration to say'.
伝統的な暦では、曜日以外にも『六曜』という吉凶を占う指標が重視されてきました。
In traditional calendars, besides the days of the week, indicators called 'Rokuyō' for predicting luck have been emphasized.
Kikk yō refers to good and bad luck.
特定の曜日に売上が集中する傾向があるため、マーケティング戦略を練り直す必要があります。
Since sales tend to concentrate on specific days of the week, we need to rethink our marketing strategy.
Keikō means 'tendency' or 'trend'.
曜日ごとの視聴率データを分析し、番組の編成を最適化します。
We will analyze viewership data for each day of the week and optimize the program lineup.
Saitekika means 'optimization'.
彼は曜日を問わず、毎朝欠かさずジョギングをしています。
He goes jogging every morning without fail, regardless of the day of the week.
O towazu means 'regardless of' or 'no matter'.
カレンダーの曜日の配置は、文化圏によって日曜日始まりか月曜日始まりかが異なります。
The arrangement of days on a calendar varies by culture, starting either on Sunday or Monday.
Haichi means 'arrangement' or 'layout'.
曜日という枠組みを超えて、より柔軟な働き方を模索する企業が増えています。
An increasing number of companies are exploring more flexible ways of working that go beyond the framework of 'days of the week'.
Wakugumi means 'framework' or 'structure'.
七曜制の伝来は平安時代に遡りますが、庶民の生活に浸透したのは明治以降のことです。
The introduction of the seven-day system dates back to the Heian period, but it only permeated the lives of commoners after the Meiji era.
Shintō means 'permeation' or 'spreading through'.
曜日の呼称に天体の名を冠する慣習は、東西を問わず古代文明の叡智を反映しています。
The custom of naming days after celestial bodies reflects the wisdom of ancient civilizations, regardless of East or West.
Kanshi suru means 'to name' or 'to crown with a title'.
近代化の過程で、日本は伝統的な太陰太陽暦からグレゴリオ暦へと舵を切り、曜日が時間の主軸となりました。
In the process of modernization, Japan pivoted from the traditional lunisolar calendar to the Gregorian calendar, and days of the week became the primary axis of time.
Kaji o kiru is an idiom meaning 'to pivot' or 'to change course'.
文学作品において、特定の曜日が持つ象徴的な意味合いが、物語の伏線として機能することもあります。
In literary works, the symbolic meaning of a specific day of the week can sometimes function as a narrative foreshadowing.
Fukusen means 'foreshadowing'.
アルゴリズムを用いて、任意の年月日から曜日を瞬時に算出するツールの開発に従事しています。
I am engaged in developing a tool that uses algorithms to instantaneously calculate the day of the week for any given date.
Sanshutsu means 'calculation' or 'computation'.
曜日という人為的な区切りが、我々の心理的ストレスや幸福感に与える影響は無視できません。
The impact of the artificial division of 'days of the week' on our psychological stress and sense of well-being cannot be ignored.
Jin'iteki means 'artificial' or 'man-made'.
宗教的儀礼と曜日の結びつきは、その社会の根幹を成す価値観を浮き彫りにします。
The connection between religious rituals and days of the week highlights the core values that form the foundation of that society.
Ukibori ni suru means 'to highlight' or 'to bring into relief'.
グローバル化が進む中で、タイムゾーンや曜日の差異を越えたリアルタイムの協働が不可欠となっています。
As globalization progresses, real-time collaboration that transcends differences in time zones and days of the week has become essential.
Kyōdō means 'collaboration' or 'cooperation'.
常见搭配
常用短语
今日は何曜日?
曜日を問わず
都合の悪い曜日
ゴミの収集曜日
定休日の曜日
曜日ごとの予定
好きな曜日
曜日がずれる
曜日を確認する
週の真ん中の曜日
容易混淆的词
Refers to the date (e.g., 5th, 10th), while 何曜日 refers to the day of the week (e.g., Monday).
A general 'when' that could be answered with a time, a date, or a day of the week.
Refers to a period of a week (e.g., 'for one week'), not a specific day.
习语与表达
"曜日感覚がない"
To lose one's sense of what day it is. Often happens during long holidays or very busy periods.
連休中は曜日感覚がなくなりますね。
Informal"花金 (Hana-kin)"
Short for 'Hana no Kin'yōbi' (Flower Friday). Similar to 'TGIF,' referring to the excitement of the weekend starting.
今日は花金だから、飲みに行こう!
Slang/Informal"月曜病 (Getsuyō-byō)"
Monday sickness or 'Monday blues.' The feeling of lethargy at the start of the work week.
月曜病で仕事に行きたくないです。
Informal"サザエさん症候群"
Sazae-san Syndrome. The depression felt on Sunday evening when the anime 'Sazae-san' airs, signaling the end of the weekend.
サザエさんを見ると、サザエさん症候群になります。
Pop Culture"土日祝 (Donichi-shuku)"
Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays. A common grouping for business hours or travel rates.
土日祝は料金が高くなります。
Business/Neutral"水曜定休"
Closed on Wednesdays. A very common pattern for real estate agencies or small shops in Japan.
不動産屋は水曜定休が多いです。
Business"週明け (Shū-ake)"
The beginning of the week (usually Monday morning).
詳細は週明けに連絡します。
Business/Neutral"週末休み"
Having weekends off.
私の仕事は週末休みです。
Neutral"三連休 (San-renkyū)"
A three-day weekend. Often happens when a holiday falls on a Monday or Friday.
来週は三連休がありますね。
Neutral"平日休み"
Having days off during the week instead of the weekend.
サービス業なので、平日休みです。
Neutral容易混淆
Both refer to 'day'.
Hi is general; Yōbi is specific to the seven-day cycle.
今日はいい日だ。 (Today is a good day.)
Both relate to calendar time.
Hizuke is the numeric date (YYYY/MM/DD).
日付を確認する。 (Check the date.)
Both describe days.
Heijitsu is a category (Mon-Fri); Yōbi is a name.
平日は忙しい。 (Weekdays are busy.)
Both describe days.
Shukujitsu is a status (holiday); Yōbi is a name.
明日は祝日だ。 (Tomorrow is a holiday.)
Both relate to the week.
Shūmatsu is a period (Sat-Sun).
週末に会おう。 (Let's meet on the weekend.)
句型
今日は[Day]曜日です。
今日は火曜日です。
[Day]曜日に[Action]ます。
日曜日に休みます。
毎週[Day]曜日に[Action]ます。
毎週水曜日に泳ぎます。
[Day]曜日から[Day]曜日まで[Action]ます。
月曜日から金曜日まで学校へ行きます。
[Day]曜日でも[Action]ます。
土曜日でも仕事をします。
何曜日が一番[Adjective]ですか?
何曜日が一番暇ですか?
曜日によって[Verb]。
曜日によって時間が変わります。
特定の曜日に[Action]。
特定の曜日にセールがあります。
词族
名词
相关
如何使用
Extremely high. Used daily in almost every context.
-
Using 'Nan-nichi' for the day of the week.
→
Use 'Nan-yōbi'.
Nan-nichi asks for the date (1st, 2nd...), while Nan-yōbi asks for the day (Monday, Tuesday...).
-
Saying 'Kyō ni getsuyōbi desu'.
→
Say 'Kyō wa getsuyōbi desu'.
The particle 'ni' is for specific times of action, not for identifying the current day with 'desu'.
-
Mixing up Tuesday (火) and Thursday (木).
→
Tuesday is Fire (火); Thursday is Wood (木).
This is a common confusion because both kanji have four strokes and start with a similar sound in some contexts.
-
Writing 曜 with the wrong number of strokes.
→
It has 18 strokes.
Learners often simplify the right-hand side, making the kanji unrecognizable or incorrect.
-
Pronouncing 'yōbi' with a short 'o'.
→
Pronounce it as 'yōbi' (long o).
Vowel length is phonemic in Japanese; a short 'o' can change the meaning or sound very foreign.
小贴士
Planetary Links
Connect the days to the planets: Moon-day (Monday), Mars/Fire-day (Tuesday), Mercury/Water-day (Wednesday), Jupiter/Wood-day (Thursday), Venus/Gold-day (Friday), Saturn/Earth-day (Saturday), and Sun-day (Sunday).
Kanji Structure
The kanji 曜 has 18 strokes. Focus on the 'sun' radical on the left first, then the top right, then the bottom right. Practice it daily until it becomes muscle memory.
Long Vowels
The 'ō' in 'yōbi' is a long vowel. Make sure to hold it for two beats (yo-o-bi) to sound natural.
Trash Days
In Japan, knowing your 曜日 is vital for trash disposal. Each type of trash has a specific day. Missing it means waiting another week!
Particle Ni
Remember to use 'ni' when saying 'on [day]', but don't use it with 'kyō' (today) or 'ashita' (tomorrow).
Shorthand Sounds
Listen for 'Ka-Moku' (Tue-Thu) or 'Getsu-Sui-Kin' (Mon-Wed-Fri) in school or gym schedules.
Related Terms
Learn 'heijitsu' (weekday) and 'shūmatsu' (weekend) alongside 曜日 to expand your scheduling ability.
Calendar Symbols
On Japanese calendars, days are often just the first kanji: 月, 火, 水... Get used to seeing them without 'yōbi'.
Polite Scheduling
When making an appointment, it's polite to offer a few different 曜日 options to the other person.
Daily Check
Every morning, look at your watch or phone and say the current 曜日 out loud in Japanese.
记住它
记忆技巧
Think of the 'YO' in 'Yōbi' as 'YOu better know the day!' The 'BI' sounds like 'BEE'—imagine a bee flying through each day of the week.
视觉联想
Imagine a shining sun (曜) rising over a calendar (日). The complex strokes in 曜 look like rays of light or a busy schedule.
Word Web
挑战
Try to say the name of the current day of the week in Japanese every morning for seven days. On the seventh day, try to list all seven days in order using 曜日.
词源
The word 曜日 (yōbi) originates from the ancient 'Seven Luminaries' (Shichiyō) system. This system assigned each day of the week to one of the seven celestial bodies known to ancient astronomers: the Sun, the Moon, and the five planets (Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn).
原始含义: The kanji 曜 (yō) originally referred to 'shining' or 'celestial body.' Combined with 日 (bi/hi), it literally means 'the day of the shining body.'
Sino-Japanese (Kango). The concept was imported from China via Buddhist texts in the 8th or 9th century, though it wasn't used for daily life until much later.文化背景
None. The word is entirely neutral and safe to use in all contexts.
English speakers might find the planetary connection easier to remember if they know the Latin roots of English day names (e.g., Saturday = Saturn, Monday = Moon).
在生活中练习
真实语境
School/University
- 時間割 (Schedule)
- 月曜日の授業 (Monday's class)
- テストの曜日 (Test day)
- 休校日 (School holiday)
Office/Work
- 会議の曜日 (Meeting day)
- 締め切り曜日 (Deadline day)
- シフト (Shift)
- 出勤日 (Work day)
Shopping/Services
- 定休日 (Regular holiday)
- 特売日 (Sale day)
- 営業時間 (Business hours)
- 予約の曜日 (Booking day)
Home/Community
- ゴミの日 (Trash day)
- 習い事の曜日 (Lesson day)
- 週末の予定 (Weekend plans)
- 家族の日 (Family day)
Travel/Transport
- 平日ダイヤ (Weekday schedule)
- 土日祝ダイヤ (Weekend/Holiday schedule)
- 出発曜日 (Departure day)
- 運行日 (Operation day)
对话开场白
"今日は何曜日ですか? (What day is it today?)"
"一番好きな曜日は何曜日ですか? (What is your favorite day of the week?)"
"何曜日が一番忙しいですか? (Which day of the week is the busiest for you?)"
"週末は何曜日から始まりますか? (On what day does your weekend start?)"
"ゴミの日は何曜日ですか? (What day is trash day?)"
日记主题
今週の曜日ごとの予定を書いてください。 (Write your schedule for each day of this week.)
好きな曜日とその理由について書いてください。 (Write about your favorite day and why.)
一番忙しい曜日の一日を説明してください。 (Describe a day in your busiest day of the week.)
曜日感覚がなくなった時の経験を書いてください。 (Write about a time you lost track of what day it was.)
あなたの国と日本の曜日の違いについて書いてください。 (Write about the differences between days in your country and Japan.)
常见问题
10 个问题In Japan, most calendars traditionally start on Sunday (日曜日), but the work and school week effectively starts on Monday (月曜日). It depends on the calendar's design.
Yes, in casual speech among friends or family, dropping the 'bi' is very common. However, in formal situations or when speaking to superiors, you should use the full 'Getsuyōbi'.
They are named after the 'Seven Luminaries' (Sun, Moon, and five planets). This system was brought to Japan from China and matches the planetary naming system used in many other cultures.
Always use 'Nan-yōbi desu ka?'. If you use 'Nan-nichi desu ka?', people will give you the date (like 'the 15th').
Almost exclusively for the days of the week. It is a very specialized character.
Sometimes in very modern or Western-style contexts, but 'Getsuyōbi, Kayōbi' is the universal standard.
It's a slang term for 'Flower Friday,' similar to TGIF. It refers to the joy of Friday night when the work week is over.
You can use the first kanji in parentheses: (月), (火), (水), (木), (金), (土), (日).
The following Monday usually becomes a 'furikae kyūjitsu' (substitute holiday), meaning most people get the day off.
The standard order is Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat. This follows the planetary order: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn.
自我测试 180 个问题
Translate: 'Today is Monday.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'What day of the week is it tomorrow?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I go to school on Wednesdays.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Saturday is a holiday.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'My favorite day is Friday.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I work from Monday to Friday.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'What day is trash day?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'There is a meeting on Tuesday.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Are you free next Sunday?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I study Japanese every Thursday.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I changed the meeting day.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Any day is fine.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I forgot what day it is.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'This shop is closed on Mondays.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I am busy on weekdays.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Let's meet on the weekend.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Yesterday was Thursday.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I have a party on Friday night.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Which day is the busiest?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I go to the gym on the same day every week.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Say 'Today is Tuesday' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
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Ask 'What day of the week is it?' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I study on Mondays' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Saturday and Sunday are weekends' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I am free on Friday' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I work every day except Sunday' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
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Say 'What day is good for you?' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
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Say 'I like Fridays the most' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
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Say 'Is tomorrow Wednesday?' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I have a meeting next Monday' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
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Say 'I go to the gym on Thursdays' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Any day is okay' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I am busy this Monday' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'The shop is closed on Tuesdays' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
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Say 'I forgot the day of the week' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I study Japanese on weekends' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Yesterday was Saturday' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
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Say 'Is it Friday today?' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
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Say 'I'll call you on Wednesday' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
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Say 'What day is trash day?' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Identify the day: '今日は金曜日です。'
Identify the day: '明日は日曜日です。'
Identify the day: '火曜日に会いましょう。'
Identify the day: '木曜日は忙しいです。'
Identify the day: '水曜日にテストがあります。'
Identify the day: '月曜日は休みです。'
Identify the day: '土曜日にパーティーをします。'
Identify the day: '毎週金曜日にジムに行きます。'
Identify the day: '次の日曜日は暇ですか?'
Identify the day: '火曜日は定休日です。'
Identify the day: '木曜日の夜に電話します。'
Identify the day: '月曜日から金曜日まで。'
Identify the day: '昨日は水曜日でした。'
Identify the day: '土曜日と日曜日は週末です。'
Identify the day: '何曜日がいいですか?'
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 曜日 (yōbi) is the foundational term for 'day of the week' in Japanese. It is used both as a standalone noun and as a suffix for specific days (e.g., 月曜日 - Monday). Mastering this word and its associated planetary elements is crucial for navigating Japanese schedules. Example: '明日は何曜日ですか?' (What day of the week is tomorrow?).
- 曜日 (yōbi) is the standard Japanese noun for 'day of the week,' essential for any basic conversation about time, schedules, or daily routines.
- It consists of two kanji: 曜 (shining/day of the week) and 日 (day/sun), and acts as a suffix for all seven specific day names.
- To ask 'What day of the week is it?', you use the phrase '何曜日' (nan-yōbi), which is distinct from asking for the date.
- The system is based on the 'Seven Luminaries' (Sun, Moon, and five planets), providing a consistent logic for memorizing the names of the days.
Planetary Links
Connect the days to the planets: Moon-day (Monday), Mars/Fire-day (Tuesday), Mercury/Water-day (Wednesday), Jupiter/Wood-day (Thursday), Venus/Gold-day (Friday), Saturn/Earth-day (Saturday), and Sun-day (Sunday).
Kanji Structure
The kanji 曜 has 18 strokes. Focus on the 'sun' radical on the left first, then the top right, then the bottom right. Practice it daily until it becomes muscle memory.
Long Vowels
The 'ō' in 'yōbi' is a long vowel. Make sure to hold it for two beats (yo-o-bi) to sound natural.
Trash Days
In Japan, knowing your 曜日 is vital for trash disposal. Each type of trash has a specific day. Missing it means waiting another week!
例句
今日は何曜日ですか?
相关内容
这个词在其他语言中
相关表达
更多general词汇
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
A2用于表示谈论或思考的对象。
〜について
B1表示“关于”或“有关”的短语。
~ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.