Translation and Meaning of: 五日 - itsuka

If you've ever wondered how the Japanese count specific days of the month or express short periods of time, the word Five days (itsuka) It's a great example. In this article, we will explore everything from its etymology to its everyday use, including the pictogram and interesting facts that make this expression unique. Here at Suki Nihongo, in addition to learning the meaning and translation, you will discover how to memorize this word with practical sentences to include in Anki or another spaced repetition system.

The fifth day of the month or a period of five days may seem simple, but there are interesting nuances behind this term. Why do the Japanese use someday instead of just counting the days? How does the kanji 五 relate to other numerical terms? Let's unravel these questions and more, including tips to avoid confusing them with homophones like 何時か (someday).

Etymology and Pictogram of 五日

The kanji 五 (go) represents the number five and is one of the oldest characters in the Japanese writing system, with roots in ancient China. Its original pictogram displayed two crossed lines, symbolizing the five elements of Chinese philosophy. On the other hand, 日 (hi/ka) is the classic ideogram for "sun" or "day," present in almost all temporal expressions. When combined, these characters form a word that carries centuries of linguistic history.

Interestingly, the reading いつか (itsuka) is an example of kun'yomi (Japanese reading) applied to a combination of kanji. This differs from other dates like 一日 (tsuitachi) where a mix of readings occurs. This peculiarity means that 五日 is often taught in basic Japanese classes as a special case of temporal counting.

Practical Use in Japanese Daily Life

In modern Japan, 五日 often appears in calendars, schedules, and even in popular expressions. You might hear phrases like "Please submit by the 5th" (五日までに提出してください) in workplaces or "5th morning market" (五日の朝市) in smaller towns. The pronunciation いつか sounds more colloquial than the alternative ごにち (gonichi), which is reserved for formal contexts.

A common mistake among students is to confuse 五日 with the homophone 何時か (someday). A practical tip is to remember that specific dates often come with particles like に (ni) or まで (made). For example: "五日に会いましょう" (Let's meet on the 5th) makes it clear that it refers to a defined date, not an indefinite moment in the future.

Memorization and Cultural Curiosities

To reinforce this word, try associating the kanji 五 with the shape of an open hand (five fingers) marking days on a calendar. Japanese children's songs like "五日目の朝" (The Morning of the Fifth Day) also help to memorize the term naturally. Some teaching apps use spaced repetition precisely with examples like this.

In Japanese folklore, the fifth day of the fifth month (端午の節句) is celebrated as Boys' Day, when families display warrior dolls and eat rice cakes. This age-old tradition demonstrates how specific dates carry profound cultural significance. When you learn 五日, you will be unlocking not just a word, but a piece of Japan's rich temporal tapestry.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 五日 (ごにち) - Five days
• いつか - someday
• いつかの - From some day (referring to a specific day in the past or future)
• いつかの日 - A specific day in the future or past
• いつかめ - The fifth time (used in specific contexts)
• いつかめの日 - The day of the fifth time

五日

Romaji: itsuka
Kana: いつか
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: five days; the fifth day (of the month)

Meaning in English: five days;the fifth day (of the month)

Definition: Day 5.

Example Sentences - (五日) itsuka

See below some example sentences:

五日間休みを取ります。

Gonichikan yasumi wo torimasu

I will take five days off.

Take a day off for five days.

• 五日間 (gokakan) - five days
• 休み (yasumi) - Time off, rest
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 取ります (torimasu) - take, remove, obtain