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:

日陰にいると涼しいです。

Hikage ni iru to suzushii desu

It is refreshing to be in the shadow.

It's cool in the shadow.

• 日陰 - It means "shadow" in Japanese.
• に - it is a particle that indicates location.
• いる - it is the verb "to be" in the present continuous.
• と - it's a particle that indicates the condition or circumstance.
• 涼しい - means "fresh" or "refreshing" in Japanese.
• です - it is the verb "to be" in the present.

昨日はとても暑かったです。

Kinou wa totemo atsukatta desu

Yesterday was very hot.

It was very hot yesterday.

• 昨日 (kinou) - Yesterday
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - Very
• 暑かった (atsukatta) - It was hot
• です (desu) - polite way of being

月曜日は私の一番嫌いな曜日です。

Getsuyoubi wa watashi no ichiban kirai na youbi desu

Monday is my least favorite day of the week.

Monday is my most hated day.

• 月曜日 - means "Monday" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 私の - "Meu" in Japanese
• 一番 - "the most" or "number one" in Japanese
• 嫌いな - "hated" or "disliked" in Japanese
• 曜日 - "day of the week" in Japanese
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese

最高の一日を過ごしたいです。

Saikou no ichinichi wo sugoshitai desu

I want to spend the best day possible.

I want to spend the best day.

• 最高の - "better"
• 一日 - "day"
• を - direct object particle
• 過ごしたい - "want to pass"
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

木曜日は私の一番好きな曜日です。

Mokuyoubi wa watashi no ichiban suki na youbi desu

Thursday is my favorite day of the week.

• 木曜日 - Thursday" in Japanese
• は - Topic particle
• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• の - Possession particle
• 一番 - superlative "the most"
• 好き - adjective "like"
• な - adjective particle
• 曜日 - day of the week in Japanese
• です - verb "ser/estar" in the polite form

東京は日本の首都です。

Tōkyō wa Nihon no shuto desu

Tokyo is the capital of Japan.

• 東京 - Tokyo, city name
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan, country name
• の - Possession particle
• 首都 - capital
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

来日する予定があります。

Raijitsu suru yotei ga arimasu

I have plans to visit Japan.

I intend to come to Japan.

• 来日する - Verb that means "to come to Japan"
• 予定 - Noun that means "plan" or "schedule"
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• あります - Verb that means "to have" or "to exist"

梅干は日本の伝統的な保存食品です。

Umeboshi wa Nihon no dentōteki na hozon shokuhin desu

Umeboshi is a traditional preserved Japanese food.

• 梅干 - umeboshi, a Japanese pickled plum
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 伝統的な - Traditional
• 保存食品 - preserved food
• です - verb to be in the polite form

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

歌謡は日本の伝統的な音楽ジャンルです。

Kayou wa Nihon no dentouteki na ongaku janru desu

Kayo is a traditional Japanese music genre.

• 歌謡 - Japanese folk song
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 伝統的な - Traditional
• 音楽 - music
• ジャンル - genre
• です - Verb ser/estar (polite form)