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

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

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

日

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

Translation / Meaning: sun; sunlight; day

Meaning in English: sun;sunshine;day

Definition: Time division for a day.

Example Sentences - (日) hi

See below some example sentences:

今日の試合はとても激しかった。

Kyou no shiai wa totemo hageshikatta

Today's match was very intense.

• 今日の - of today
• 試合 - "game"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - "very"
• 激しかった - "intense"

今日の授業は休講です。

Kyou no jugyou wa kyuukou desu

Today's class is closed.

• 今日の - of today
• 授業 - "class"
• は - Topic particle
• 休講 - "canceled"
• です - verb "to be/estar" in the present tense

今日の会議で私は発表をする予定です。

Kyou no kaigi de watashi wa happyou wo suru yotei desu

I intend to give a presentation at today's meeting.

• 今日の会議で - In today's meeting
• 私は - I
• 発表をする - Make a presentation
• 予定です - Planned

今日の献立は何ですか？

Kyō no kondate wa nan desu ka?

What is today's menu?

• 今日の - today
• 献立 - menu
• は - Topic particle
• 何 - what
• ですか - é?

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?

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

何気ない日常が幸せだ。

Nanigenai nichijou ga shiawase da

I am happy with the Casual Daily Life.

• 何気ない - "Nanigenai" means "insignificant" or "common".
• 日常 - "Nichijou" means "everyday life" or "routine".
• が - "Ga" is a grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 幸せ - "Shiawase" means "happiness" or "luck".
• だ - "Da" is a grammatical particle that indicates the end of the sentence and that the statement is true.

僕は日本語を勉強しています。

Boku wa nihongo wo benkyou shiteimasu

I'm studying Japanese.

I'm studying Japanese.

• 僕 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 日本語 - noun meaning "Japanese" or "Japanese language"
• を - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 勉強 - verb meaning "study" or "learn"
• しています - present form of the verb "suru" (to do) with the suffix "teiru" that indicates an action in progress

六月に日本に行きます。

Rokugatsu ni Nihon ni ikimasu

I will go to Japan in June.

• 六月 - June
• に - Time or location indication
• 日本 - Japan
• に - Time or location indication
• 行きます - will (verb to go in the future)

六日間休みを取ります。

Rokka kan yasumi wo torimasu

I'm taking six days off.

Take a break for six days.

• 六日間 - six days
• 休み - holiday
• を - object particle
• 取ります - take, remove, obtain