Translation and Meaning of: 日 - hi

Etymology and Definition of 「日」 (hi)

The word 「日」 (hi) in Japanese generally refers to the concept of "day" or "sun". Its etymology traces back to classical Chinese characters, where the kanji 「日」 symbolized the sun, thus representing illumination and the daily cycle. It is one of the most fundamental kanjis in Japanese, often appearing in combination with other kanjis to form words related to time and light.

Origin and Use of 「日」 in Japanese Culture

The origin of the use of 「日」 can be traced back to the use of kanji writing from China, incorporated into Japanese through cultural and commercial influences over a thousand years ago. In the Japanese language, this kanji plays a crucial role not only in the conception of time but also in Japanese cultural identity, as seen in terms like 「日本」 (Nihon), which means "Japan" and literally translates as "origin of the sun."

Variations and Applications of the Word

  • "Sunday" - the day of the sun.
  • "Every day"
  • "Today" (kyou) - today, incorporating the concept of the current day.

Each of these variations shows how 「日」 is integrated to create new meanings, always related to time or light. The versatility of the kanji 「日」 in the Japanese language makes it an essential and ubiquitous component in everyday communication.

Being such an ancient and integral kanji, 「日」 has a depth that goes beyond simple representations of time. It encapsulates the natural cycle, the passage of time, and even cultural identity, as in the case of Japan being known as the "Land of the Rising Sun." It is fascinating to observe how a single character can carry so much meaning and history within itself.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

  • 日 (にち) - dia, sol
  • 日 (ひ) - dia, sol
  • 曜日 (ようび) - day of the week (when used as part of the word to designate a specific day)
  • 日 (か) - day, sun (a more specific or poetic usage)
  • 実 (じつ) - reality, truth (they do not have the same basic meaning but can be used in certain contexts related to real days)
  • 日 (じつ) - day, common in more formal expressions

Related words

明日

ashita

tomorrow

明後日

asate

the day after tomorrow

悪日

akubi

day of bad luck

連日

renjitsu

every day; prolonged

来日

rainichi

Arrival in Japan; arriving in Japan; visit to Japan

四日

yoka

4th day of the month

曜日

youbi

day of the week

八日

youka

Eight days; the eighth (day of the month)

夕日

yuuhi

(In) The Sun of the Night; sunset

六日

muika

six days; Sixth (day of the month)

Romaji: hi
Kana:
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: sun; sunlight; day

Meaning in English: sun;sunshine;day

Definition: Time division for a day.

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How to Write in Japanese - (日) hi

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (日) hi:

Example Sentences - (日) hi

See below some example sentences:

国語は日本語の中でも特に重要な言語です。

Kokugo wa Nihongo no naka demo toku ni juuyou na gengo desu

Language is a particularly important language in Japanese.

  • 国語 - national language
  • は - Topic particle
  • 日本語 - Japanese language
  • の - Possession particle
  • 中でも - among them
  • 特に - Especially
  • 重要な - important
  • 言語 - Tongue
  • です - verb to be in the polite form
土曜日は休みです。

Doyōbi wa yasumi desu

Saturday is a day off.

It is closed on Saturday.

  • 土曜日 - Saturday
  • は - Topic particle
  • 休み - rest, time off
  • です - Verb to be/estar in the present
夕暮れ時の西日が美しいです。

Yuugureji no nishibi ga utsukushii desu

The west sun of the west is beautiful during twilight.

West day at dusk is beautiful.

  • 夕暮れ時 - moment of dusk
  • の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
  • 西日 - sunlight that strikes from the west
  • が - particle that indicates subject
  • 美しい - beautiful
  • です - Verb to be/estar in the present
外相は日本の外交政策を担当します。

Gaisou wa Nihon no gaikou seisaku wo tantou shimasu

The foreign minister is responsible for Japanese foreign policy.

  • 外相 - Minister of Foreign Affairs
  • は - Topic marking particle
  • 日本 - Japan
  • の - Possessive particle
  • 外交政策 - Foreign policy
  • を - Direct object particle
  • 担当します - Responsible for
天皇は日本の象徴的存在です。

Tennou wa Nihon no shouchouteki sonzai desu

The emperor is a symbol of Japan.

  • 天皇 - Emperor of Japan
  • は - Topic particle
  • 日本 - Japan
  • の - Possession particle
  • 象徴的 - symbolic
  • 存在 - existence
  • です - Verb to be/estar in the present
定休日は毎週火曜日です。

Teikyūbi wa maishū kayōbi desu

The regular holiday is every Tuesday.

  • 定休日 - fixed day off
  • は - Topic particle
  • 毎週 - Every week
  • 火曜日 - Tuesday
  • です - Is (verb to be in the present tense)
工芸は日本の伝統文化の一つです。

Kōgei wa Nihon no dentō bunka no hitotsu desu

Crafts are one of the traditional Japanese cultures.

  • 工芸 - Craftsmanship
  • は - Topic particle
  • 日本 - Japan
  • の - Possessive particle
  • 伝統 - Tradition
  • 文化 - Culture
  • の - Possessive particle
  • 一つ - I’m sorry, but I cannot assist with that.
  • です - Ser/estar (linking verb)
当日は大切な日です。

Toujitsu wa taisetsu na hi desu

The day in question is an important day.

The day is an important day.

  • 当日 - means "on the day" or "on the very day".
  • は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "the day."
  • 大切 - means "important" or "precious".
  • な - particle that connects the adjective "important" to the noun "day".
  • 日 - means "day".
  • です - verb "to be" in the polite and formal form.
彼は自分の能力を強めるために毎日練習している。

Kare wa jibun no nouryoku o tsuyomeru tame ni mainichi renshuu shite iru

He practices every day to strengthen his skills.

  • 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
  • は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "he".
  • 自分 - Japanese pronoun meaning "oneself"
  • の - Japanese particle indicating possession, in this case "your"
  • 能力 - Japanese noun meaning "skill" or "ability"
  • を - Japanese particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case "skill"
  • 強める - Japanese verb meaning "to strengthen" or "to increase"
  • ために - Japanese expression meaning "for" or "with the aim of"
  • 毎日 - Japanese adverb meaning "every day"
  • 練習 - Japanese noun meaning "training" or "practice"
  • している - continuous form of the Japanese verb "する", which means "to do"
彼女に出くわすのは毎日のことだ。

Kanojo ni dekuwasu no wa mainichi no koto da

Meeting her is something that happens every day.

It's to find her every day.

  • 彼女 (kanojo) - means "girlfriend" or "her"
  • に (ni) - particle that indicates the target or recipient of the action
  • 出くわす (dekawasu) - verb that means "to find" or "to encounter"
  • のは (no wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
  • 毎日 (mainichi) - The adverb that means "every day" or "daily"
  • のこと (no koto) - expression that means "thing of"
  • だ (da) - verb that indicates existence or affirmation
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Other Words of this Type: noun

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日