きょう

§ What きょう Means and How to Use It

The Japanese word きょう (kyō) is a noun that means 'today.' It's a fundamental word you'll use constantly in everyday Japanese conversation. Think of how often you say 'today' in English; you'll use きょう just as frequently in Japanese. It's a simple, straightforward word, and mastering its use is essential for basic communication.

Definition

Today.

You'll often hear きょう at the beginning of a sentence, setting the time frame for what you're about to say. However, it can also appear later in a sentence, especially if other time-related words are used first, or if the speaker wants to emphasize 'today' in particular. It's quite flexible.

Hint: Today is good weather. (Meaning: Today the weather is good.)

In this example, きょう starts the sentence. The particle は (wa) marks きょう as the topic of the sentence. This is a very common structure when talking about the current day.

Here's another example:

Hint: Today work exists. (Meaning: I have work today.)

Again, きょう is at the beginning, setting the stage. This pattern is very common for expressing plans or states for the current day.

§ Common Phrases with きょう

You'll encounter きょう in many fixed expressions. Learning these will help you sound more natural:

• きょうじゅう (kyōjū): This means 'during today' or 'within today.' You use it when something needs to be completed by the end of the day.

  これを きょうじゅう に おわらせます。

  Hint: This by today finish. (Meaning: I will finish this by the end of today.)

• きょうは (kyō wa): As seen in the examples above, this is a very common way to start a sentence when talking about today's topic.

• きょうから (kyō kara): This means 'from today' or 'starting today.' It's used when an action or state begins on the current day.

  きょうから にほんご を べんきょうします。

  Hint: From today Japanese study. (Meaning: I will study Japanese starting today.)

• きょうまで (kyō made): This means 'until today' or 'up to today.' It specifies a duration that ends on the current day.

  これは きょうまで の しゅくだい です。

  Hint: This until today's homework is. (Meaning: This is homework due until today.)

Understanding these common patterns will significantly boost your ability to form natural Japanese sentences involving the concept of 'today.' Pay attention to the particles used after きょう, as they change the nuance and grammatical function.

§ Understanding きょう (kyō)

きょう (kyō) is a straightforward Japanese noun that means 'today'. It's a fundamental word you'll use frequently. Think of it like 'today' in English; it can function as a standalone word or be part of a larger sentence to indicate when something is happening.

Japanese Word

きょう (kyō)

Definition

Today.

CEFR Level

A2

§ Using きょう with particles

Unlike some other time-related words in Japanese, きょう often doesn't need a particle like に (ni) when used to specify 'when' something happens. It can directly modify the verb or predicate in the sentence.

§ Basic use: Directly modifying the verb

The most common way to use きょう is to place it at the beginning of a sentence or before the verb to indicate that the action takes place 'today'.

§ きょう with は (wa) for emphasis or topic

You can use the topic particle は (wa) with きょう to emphasize 'today' as the topic of your sentence, or to contrast it with other days. This is similar to saying 'As for today...' or 'Today, in particular...'

§ きょう as a noun in phrases

While often used adverbially, きょう is a noun. This means it can be part of noun phrases, though this is less common for simple 'today'. For example, you might see it modifying another noun with の (no).

§ Common phrases with きょう

きょう appears in many everyday Japanese expressions. Here are a few you'll hear often:

• きょうは いい てんき ですね。 (Kyō wa ii tenki desu ne.)

  (Today's good weather, isn't it? / It's nice weather today, isn't it?)

• きょうは なんようび ですか。 (Kyō wa nan'yōbi desu ka?)

  (What day of the week is today?) - A very useful question!

• きょうは しごとが ありません。 (Kyō wa shigoto ga arimasen.)

  (I don't have work today.)

§ Key takeaways

Remember these points for using きょう effectively:

• You usually don't need a particle like に (ni) after きょう when it indicates 'today' as the time an event occurs.

• Using は (wa) after きょう emphasizes 'today' as the topic or for contrast.

• きょうの (kyō no) allows きょう to modify another noun, meaning 'today's [noun]'.

Practice using きょう in various sentences to get comfortable with its placement and natural flow. It's an essential word for daily conversation in Japanese!

§ きょう: The Basics

Let's talk about the word for 'today' in Japanese: きょう (kyō). This is a foundational word, and you'll hear it all the time. It's a simple noun, so it acts like other nouns in sentences. If you're just starting out, mastering words like きょう is key to building basic sentences and understanding daily conversations.

Japanese Word

きょう (kyō)

Definition

Today

CEFR Level

A2

§ Common Uses of きょう

You'll find きょう popping up in all sorts of daily situations. It's super versatile. Here are some common ways you'll hear and use it.

• Asking about today's plans: You want to know what someone is doing today.
• Talking about today's weather: Essential for small talk.
• Referring to today's date: When you need to specify a day.
• Making plans for today: Setting up meetings or activities.

§ Where You'll Actually Hear きょう

Let's get practical. Where are you actually going to encounter きょう in real life? Everywhere. But here are some specific contexts:

§ At Work

In a work environment, きょう is vital for discussing schedules, deadlines, and daily tasks. You'll hear it in meetings, casual conversations with colleagues, and when assigning work.

Hint

What time is today'mark>s meeting?

Hint

Please submit this report by the end of today.

§ At School

If you're a student, or talking to one, きょう is essential. You'll hear it when discussing classes, homework, exams, and extracurricular activities.

Hint

What class do we have today?

Hint

There is homework today.

§ In the News

Whether you're watching TV news, reading a newspaper, or browsing online articles, きょう will be used constantly to refer to current events. It's how they tell you what's happening *right now*.

Hint

Here is today's news.

Hint

The weather today will probably be sunny.

§ Everyday Conversations

Beyond formal settings, きょう is a staple in casual chats with friends, family, and even strangers. It's how you organize your day, make plans, or just talk about what's going on.

Hint

What are you doing today?

Hint

I am busy today.

The key takeaway here is that きょう is fundamental. The more you pay attention to it in different contexts, the quicker you'll internalize its usage. Don't just memorize the definition; listen for it, try to use it in your own sentences, and you'll be speaking more naturally in no time.

§ きょう (kyou) - Today: Quick Review

Japanese Word

きょう

Definition

Today.

Before we dive into common mistakes, let's quickly review the basics of きょう (kyou). It's a simple but essential word that means 'today'. You'll use it all the time.

Translation Hint

Today is nice weather, isn't it?

§ Mistake 1: Adding に (ni) after きょう (kyou) for general statements

A very common mistake for beginners is to add the particle に (ni) after きょう when talking about 'today' in a general sense. While に can mark a point in time, it's usually omitted when きょう refers to the current day as the subject or a general time reference.

• Incorrect: きょうに何をする？

• Correct: きょう何をする？

Translation Hint

What are you doing today?

You can use に with きょう if you want to emphasize a specific point in time, especially when describing an event that *occurs* on today. But for simply stating 'today' in sentences like 'Today is Monday' or 'What are you doing today?', skip the に.

Translation Hint

Today is Monday.

§ Mistake 2: Confusing きょう (kyou) with こんや (kon'ya) or けさ (kesa)

きょう specifically means 'today'. Some learners incorrectly use it when they actually mean 'tonight' or 'this morning'. While 'tonight' and 'this morning' are part of 'today', Japanese has specific words for them.

• Incorrect: きょうの夜、映画を見ます。(If you mean specifically 'tonight')

• Correct: こんや映画を見ます。

Translation Hint

I'm watching a movie tonight.

Similarly for 'this morning':

• Incorrect: きょうの朝ごはんを食べました。(If you mean specifically 'this morning's breakfast')

• Correct: けさ朝ごはんを食べました。

Translation Hint

I ate breakfast this morning.

§ Mistake 3: Overusing きょう (kyou) in contexts where 'this day' is implied

Sometimes, in English, we might say 'Today's news' or 'Today's schedule'. In Japanese, you often don't need to explicitly state きょう when the context makes it clear you're referring to the current day's item.

• Natural English: Today's news.

• Often more natural Japanese: ニュース (news)

While きょうのニュース (kyou no nyuusu) is not incorrect, in a conversation where it's clear you're talking about current events, simply saying ニュース is often enough. The 'today' is understood.

Translation Hint

Did you read this today's newspaper?

Focus on listening to native speakers and notice when they use きょう and when they omit it. This will greatly improve your naturalness.

Let's talk about the Japanese word きょう (kyō). This is a really important word you'll use every day. It means "today." Simple, right? But like many words, there are some nuances and alternatives you should know.

§ What きょう means

You'll hear and use きょう constantly. It's one of those basic time words that you need to master early on.

§ Examples with きょう