Are you curious about how to say the days of the week in Japanese? Whether you’re planning a trip to Japan, learning the language for fun, or simply want to impress your friends, mastering the days of the week is a fantastic starting point. This comprehensive guide offers clear explanations, pronunciations, examples, and cultural insights. Our goal? To make this the ultimate resource for “days of the week in Japanese” and help you learn effortlessly while enjoying the process. Let’s dive in!
Why Learn the Days of the Week in Japanese?
Learning the days of the week in Japanese isn’t just about memorizing words—it’s a gateway to understanding the language and culture. Here’s why it matters:
- Everyday Practicality: Knowing the days helps you schedule plans, book appointments, or follow a Japanese calendar.
- Cultural Connection: The names of the days in Japanese are linked to elements and celestial bodies, revealing Japan’s historical ties to nature and astronomy.
- Language Foundation: It’s a basic yet essential vocabulary set that builds confidence for further learning.
By the end of this article, you’ll not only know how to say the days of the week in Japanese but also how to use them in real-life situations.
The Japanese Days of the Week: A Quick Overview
In Japanese, the days of the week all end with the word “曜日” (yōbi), which means “day of the week.” The first part of each day’s name comes from a kanji (Japanese character) representing an element or celestial body. Here’s the full list:
- Sunday: 日曜日 (Nichiyōbi) – Sun
- Monday: 月曜日 (Getsuyōbi) – Moon
- Tuesday: 火曜日 (Kayōbi) – Fire (Mars)
- Wednesday: 水曜日 (Suiyōbi) – Water (Mercury)
- Thursday: 木曜日 (Mokuyōbi) – Wood (Jupiter)
- Friday: 金曜日 (Kinyōbi) – Metal (Venus)
- Saturday: 土曜日 (Doyōbi) – Earth (Saturn)
This pattern makes learning easier once you get the hang of it. Let’s break each day down with details, pronunciations, and examples.
Exploring Each Day of the Week in Japanese
Below, we’ll cover every day with its Japanese name (in kanji and hiragana), pronunciation (in romaji), meaning, and practical examples. Since you’re new to Japanese, we’ll keep it simple and fun!
Sunday: 日曜日 (Nichiyōbi)
- Kanji: 日 (nichi) – Sun
- Hiragana: にちようび (ni-chi-yo-u-bi)
- Pronunciation: nee-chee-yoh-bee
- Meaning: “Sun Day” (just like “Sunday” in English!)
Example Sentence:
- Japanese: 今日は日曜日です。
- Pronunciation: Kyō wa Nichiyōbi desu.
- Translation: Today is Sunday.
Fun Fact: Sunday is a rest day in Japan, often spent with family or enjoying leisure activities like visiting parks or shopping.
Monday: 月曜日 (Getsuyōbi)
- Kanji: 月 (getsu) – Moon
- Hiragana: げつようび (ge-tsu-yo-u-bi)
- Pronunciation: geh-tsoo-yoh-bee
- Meaning: “Moon Day” (similar to “Monday”)
Example Sentence:
- Japanese: 月曜日に仕事が始まります。
- Pronunciation: Getsuyōbi ni shigoto ga hajimarimasu.
- Translation: Work starts on Monday.
Fun Fact: Monday kicks off the busy work and school week in Japan, often with a sense of fresh beginnings.
Tuesday: 火曜日 (Kayōbi)
- Kanji: 火 (ka) – Fire
- Hiragana: かようび (ka-yo-u-bi)
- Pronunciation: kah-yoh-bee
- Meaning: “Fire Day” (linked to Mars, the fiery planet)
Example Sentence:
- Japanese: 火曜日は会議があります。
- Pronunciation: Kayōbi wa kaigi ga arimasu.
- Translation: There’s a meeting on Tuesday.
Fun Fact: Fire represents energy, making Tuesday feel like a day to tackle challenges head-on.
Wednesday: 水曜日 (Suiyōbi)
- Kanji: 水 (sui) – Water
- Hiragana: すいようび (su-i-yo-u-bi)
- Pronunciation: soo-ee-yoh-bee
- Meaning: “Water Day” (tied to Mercury, the fluid planet)
Example Sentence:
- Japanese: 水曜日に友達と遊びます。
- Pronunciation: Suiyōbi ni tomodachi to asobimasu.
- Translation: I’ll hang out with friends on Wednesday.
Fun Fact: Water’s adaptability mirrors Wednesday as the week’s midpoint, balancing work and relaxation.
Thursday: 木曜日 (Mokuyōbi)
- Kanji: 木 (moku) – Wood
- Hiragana: もくようび (mo-ku-yo-u-bi)
- Pronunciation: moh-koo-yoh-bee
- Meaning: “Wood Day” (connected to Jupiter, the growth planet)
Example Sentence:
- Japanese: 木曜日は日本語を勉強します。
- Pronunciation: Mokuyōbi wa Nihongo o benkyō shimasu.
- Translation: I study Japanese on Thursday.
Fun Fact: Wood symbolizes growth, perfect for building skills or momentum as the week progresses.
Friday: 金曜日 (Kinyōbi)
- Kanji: 金 (kin) – Metal (or Gold)
- Hiragana: きんようび (ki-n-yo-u-bi)
- Pronunciation: keen-yoh-bee
- Meaning: “Metal Day” (linked to Venus, the metallic planet)
Example Sentence:
- Japanese: 金曜日にパーティーがあります。
- Pronunciation: Kinyōbi ni pāti ga arimasu.
- Translation: There’s a party on Friday.
Fun Fact: Metal stands for strength, reflecting the push to wrap up the week successfully.
Saturday: 土曜日 (Doyōbi)
- Kanji: 土 (do) – Earth
- Hiragana: どようび (do-yo-u-bi)
- Pronunciation: Doh-yoh-bee
- Meaning: “Earth Day” (tied to Saturn, the grounding planet)
Example Sentence:
- Japanese: 土曜日は家で休みます。
- Pronunciation: Doyōbi wa ie de yasumimasu.
- Translation: I rest at home on Saturday.
Fun Fact: Earth signifies stability, making Saturday a day to unwind and recharge.
Handy Table: Days of the Week in Japanese
Here’s a quick reference table to see all the days at a glance:
|
English |
Kanji |
Hiragana |
Romaji |
Meaning |
|
Sunday |
日曜日 |
にちようび |
Nichiyōbi |
Sun Day |
|
Monday |
月曜日 |
げつようび |
Getsuyōbi |
Moon Day |
|
Tuesday |
火曜日 |
かようび |
Kayōbi |
Fire Day |
|
Wednesday |
水曜日 |
すいようび |
Suiyōbi |
Water Day |
|
Thursday |
木曜日 |
もくようび |
Mokuyōbi |
Wood Day |
|
Friday |
金曜日 |
きんようび |
Kinyōbi |
Metal Day |
|
Saturday |
土曜日 |
どようび |
Doyōbi |
Earth Day |
How to Remember the Days of the Week in Japanese
Memorizing seven new words might seem daunting, but these tips will make it a breeze:
- Spot the Pattern: Every day ends with “曜日” (yōbi). Focus on learning the unique first part (e.g., 日 for Sunday, 月 for Monday).
- Link to Elements: Associate each day with its element or planet:
- Sunday: Sun shining brightly
- Monday: Moon glowing at night
- Tuesday: Fire sparking energy
- Wednesday: Water flowing smoothly
- Thursday: Wood growing tall
- Friday: Metal gleaming strong
- Saturday: Earth staying solid
- Create a Story: Imagine a week-long adventure: The sun rises on Sunday, the moon guides Monday, fire flares on Tuesday, and so on.
- Practice Out Loud: Say the days repeatedly—pronunciation practice builds muscle memory!
Using the Days of the Week in Japanese Sentences
Knowing the names is great, but using them is even better! Here’s how to incorporate the days of the week in Japanese into everyday sentences:
Basic Sentence Structures
- Saying the Day:
- Pattern: 今日は [day] です。 (Kyō wa [day] desu.)
- Translation: Today is [day].
- Example: 今日は火曜日です。 (Kyō wa Kayōbi desu.) – Today is Tuesday.
- Planning Activities:
- Pattern: [day] に [activity] をします。 ([day] ni [activity] o shimasu.)
- Translation: I will [activity] on [day].
- Example: 金曜日に映画を見ます。 (Kinyōbi ni eiga o mimasu.) – I’ll watch a movie on Friday.
- Asking Questions:
- What day is it?: 今日は何曜日ですか？ (Kyō wa nan yōbi desu ka?) – What day is it today?
- When is it?: [event] はいつですか？ ([event] wa itsu desu ka?) – When is [event]?
Sample Conversation
- You: 今日は何曜日ですか？ (Kyō wa nan yōbi desu ka?) – What day is it today?
- Friend: 今日は木曜日です。 (Kyō wa Mokuyōbi desu.) – Today is Thursday.
- You: 土曜日は何をしますか？ (Doyōbi wa nani o shimasu ka?) – What will you do on Saturday?
- Friend: 土曜日は買い物に行きます。 (Doyōbi wa kaimono ni ikimasu.) – I’ll go shopping on Saturday.
Cultural Insights: Days of the Week in Japanese Life
The days of the week in Japanese aren’t just words—they reflect cultural habits and traditions:
- Weekends: Saturday (土曜日) and Sunday (日曜日) are typically the weekend, though some schools or jobs may include Saturday mornings. It’s a time for rest, family, or exploring Japan’s vibrant cities.
- Holidays: Japanese national holidays often align with specific days. Unlike some countries, if a holiday falls on a Saturday, it’s not usually shifted to another day.
- Workweek: Monday (月曜日) marks the start of the grind, with many Japanese workers known for dedication. However, initiatives like “Premium Friday” encourage leaving early on the last Friday of the month.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Fix Them)
Don’t worry—mistakes are part of learning! Here are pitfalls to avoid:
- Pronunciation Slip-Ups: “木曜日” (Mokuyōbi) and “土曜日” (Doyōbi) sound similar. Practice saying them slowly: “moh-koo-yoh-bee” vs. “doh-yoh-bee.”
- Forgetting “曜日”: Always include “yōbi” at the end—it’s what makes it a day of the week!
- Kanji Confusion: The kanji (e.g., 火 for fire, 水 for water) are unique. Link them to their meanings to keep them straight.
Extra Vocabulary to Boost Your Skills
Want to go beyond the days of the week in Japanese? Here are related words:
- 昨日 (kinō) – Yesterday
- 今日 (kyō) – Today
- 明日 (ashita) – Tomorrow
- 先週 (senshū) – Last week
- 今週 (konshū) – This week
- 来週 (raishū) – Next week
- 毎日 (mainichi) – Every day
- 週末 (shūmatsu) – Weekend
Example: 来週の水曜日にテストがあります。 (Raishū no Suiyōbi ni tesuto ga arimasu.) – There’s a test next Wednesday.
Test Yourself: A Fun Quiz
Ready to check your knowledge? Try these questions:
- What’s the Japanese word for “Friday”?
- a) 水曜日
- b) 金曜日
- c) 土曜日
- How do you say “Today is Monday”?
- a) 今日は月曜日です。
- b) 今日は火曜日です。
- c) 今日は木曜日です。
- What element does “火曜日” (Kayōbi) represent?
- a) Water
- b) Fire
- c) Earth
Answers: 1. b) 金曜日, 2. a) 今日は月曜日です。, 3. b) Fire
Final Thoughts: Your Journey with the Days of the Week in Japanese
Congratulations! You’ve just unlocked the days of the week in Japanese—a key step in your language-learning adventure. From Sunday (日曜日) to Saturday (土曜日), you now know how to say them, what they mean, and how to use them in sentences. Plus, you’ve gained a peek into Japanese culture along the way.
Keep practicing by using these words daily—say them aloud, write them down, or chat with a friend. Before you know it, the days of the week in Japanese will feel as natural as their English counterparts. Ready to learn more? Let us know what Japanese topic you’d like to explore next!
