Translation and Meaning of: 今日 - kyou

If you are learning Japanese, you have certainly come across the word 今日[きょう]. It is one of those fundamental expressions for everyday life, but it also carries interesting nuances about the language and Japanese culture. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, writing, and use in different contexts. Furthermore, you will discover how this simple word can reveal aspects of the Japanese mindset and how to memorize it effectively.

The Suki Nihongo dictionary, one of the best references for Japanese learners, highlights that 今日[きょう] is a high-frequency word in the language. Whether in informal conversations or in more formal situations, understanding its correct usage is essential for those who want to communicate naturally. Let's unravel all of this next.

Meaning and origin of 今日[きょう]

The word 今日[きょう] means "today" in English and is formed by the kanjis 今 (now) and 日 (day). Its origin dates back to classical Chinese, but its use in modern Japanese has been established for centuries. Unlike some words that have undergone significant semantic changes, 今日 has retained its central meaning over time.

It is worth noting that although the most common reading is きょう, this kanji can also be read as こんにち in specific contexts, such as in the expression こんにちは (konnichiwa), which literally means "this day." This duality of readings is a characteristic feature of Japanese and reinforces the importance of studying kanji in their different contexts.

Everyday usage and frequency

According to linguistic research, 今日 is among the 500 most commonly used words in spoken Japanese. It appears frequently in everyday conversations, from simple questions like "今日は何をする？" (What are we going to do today?) to more formal contexts, such as in business meetings. Its versatility makes it essential for any language student.

An interesting cultural aspect is that the Japanese often use 今日 to refer to the "present day" as opposed to yesterday or tomorrow, reflecting a mindset focused on the current moment. This notion aligns with concepts like "ichi-go ichi-e" (one time, one meeting), valuing the uniqueness of each day.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to memorize 今日 is to associate its visual components with its meaning. The kanji 今 represents "now," while 日 means "day" - together, they literally form "the current day." This logical breakdown helps to understand and retain the vocabulary more easily. Many students also create flashcards with practical sentences to reinforce their learning.

Interestingly, in some regional dialects of Japan, such as that of Osaka, 今日 can be pronounced slightly differently, like "kyō" with a more open intonation. These variations are minimal, but they show the linguistic richness of the country. For study purposes, however, the standard pronunciation (きょう) is the most recommended for learners.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

本日 (honjitsu) - Today; used in more formal contexts.
きょう (kyou) - Today; the most common and colloquial form.
こんにち (konnichi) - Today; used in the context of greeting, as in "Today is a good day."

Related words

今日は

konnichiha

Hello; good morning (daytime identification)

今朝

kesa

this morning

去年

kyonen

Last year

今日

Romaji: kyou
Kana: きょう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3, jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: today; this day

Meaning in English: today;this day

Definition: "Today" is a word that refers to the current day.

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How to Write in Japanese - (今日) kyou

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

Example Sentences - (今日) kyou

See below some example sentences:

今日は出社しなければなりません。

Kyou wa shussha shinakereba narimasen

Today I have to go to work.

I have to go to work today.

今日は - "today" in Japanese
出社 - "going to work" in Japanese
しなければなりません - "must do" in Japanese, indicating an obligation

今日の気温はどのくらいですか？

Kyō no kion wa dono kurai desu ka?

What is the temperature today?

今日の気温 - "Today's temperature"
は - Topic particle
どのくらい - "how much"
ですか - Interrogative particle

株式市場は今日も活況を呈しています。

Kabushiki shijō wa kyō mo kakkō o tei shite imasu

The stock market is still booming today.

株式市場 - stock market
は - Topic particle
今日 - today
も - also
活況 - prosperity, good performance
を - direct object particle
呈しています - is demonstrating/presenting

私は今日の仕事を済ますつもりです。

Watashi wa kyō no shigoto o sumasu tsumori desu

I intend to finish my work today.

I will finish my work today.

私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
今日 (kyou) - means "today" in Japanese.
の (no) - Possession particle in Japanese
仕事 (shigoto) - "work" in Japanese.
を (wo) - Direct object particle in Japanese
済ます (sumasu) - means "conclude" or "end" in Japanese
つもり (tsumori) - means "intention" or "planning" in Japanese.
です (desu) - polite way of "being" in Japanese

私は今日当番です。

Watashi wa kyou touban desu

I'm in charge of the shift today.

I'm on duty today.

私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
今日 - Japanese noun meaning "today"
当番 - Japanese noun meaning "on duty", "on duty"
です - Japanese verb that indicates the polite and formal form of the present indicative.

私は今日着る服を決めていない。

Watashi wa kyō kiru fuku o kimete inai

I still haven't decided what outfit to wear today.

I haven't decided on the clothes I wear today.

私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
今日 - Japanese adverb that means "today"
着る - Japanese verb meaning "to put on"
服 - Japanese noun that means "clothing"
を - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
決めていない - Japanese verb conjugated in the negative meaning "not to have decided"