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:

日本には美しい山脈がたくさんあります。

Nihon ni wa utsukushii sanmyaku ga takusan arimasu

There are many beautiful mountain ranges in Japan.

There are many beautiful mountains in Japan.

• 日本 - Japan
• に - particle indicating destination or location
• は - topic particle, which indicates the main subject of the sentence
• 美しい - beautiful
• 山脈 - Mountain chain
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• たくさん - many
• あります - verb "existir" in the present affirmative

日本は美しい国です。

Nihon wa utsukushii kuni desu

Japan is a beautiful country.

Japan is a beautiful country.

• 日本 - Japan
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - beautiful
• 国 - country
• です - Ser/estar (polite form)

日本の通貨は円です。

Nihon no tsūka wa en desu

Japan's currency is the yen.

The Japanese currency is a circle.

• 日本の - "from Japan"
• 通貨 - "moeda"
• は - Topic particle
• 円 - "iene"
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

放送は明日から始まります。

Housou wa ashita kara hajimarimasu

The broadcast starts tomorrow.

The broadcast starts tomorrow.

• 放送 (housou) - transmission
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 明日 (ashita) - tomorrow
• から (kara) - from
• 始まります (hajimarimasu) - will start

彼女の日本語能力は高い程度だ。

Kanojo no nihongo nouryoku wa takai teido da

Your proficiency in the Japanese language is at a high level.

Your Japanese skill is high.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - She
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 日本語 (nihongo) - Japanese language
• 能力 (nouryoku) - Skill, capacity
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 高い (takai) - High
• 程度 (teido) - Grade, level
• だ (da) - Informal form of the verb ser

彼女は今日不在です。

Kanojo wa kyō fuzai desu

She is not present today.

She is absent today.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 今日 (kyou) - today
• 不在 (fuzai) - absent
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

平日は忙しいです。

Heijitsu wa isogashii desu

During the week

I'm busy during the week.

• 平日 (heijitsu) - working days/week
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 忙しい (isogashii) - busy
• です (desu) - verb ser/estar (polite form)

岬から見る夕日は美しいです。

Misaki kara miru yuuhi wa utsukushii desu

The sunset seen from the cape is beautiful.

The sunset seen from the cape is beautiful.

• 岬 (misaki) - Peninsula
• から (kara) - from, starting at
• 見る (miru) - To see
• 夕日 (yuuhi) - Sunset
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 美しい (utsukushii) - pretty, beautiful
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

工業は日本の経済にとって重要な役割を果たしています。

Kōgyō wa Nihon no keizai ni totte jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu

Industry plays an important role in the economy of Japan.

Industry plays an important role in the Japanese economy.

• 工業 (kougyou) - industry
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 日本 (nihon) - Japan
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 経済 (keizai) - economy
• にとって (nitotte) - for
• 重要な (juuyouna) - important
• 役割 (yakuwari) - paper
• を果たしています (wo hatashiteimasu) - performs

如何にも素晴らしい一日ですね。

Naninimo subarashii ichinichi desu ne

It really is a wonderful day

It's a wonderful day.

• 如何にも - adverb meaning "truly" or "really"
• 素晴らしい - adjective meaning "wonderful" or "splendid"
• 一日 - noun meaning "one day"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality
• ね - final particle that indicates a rhetorical question or a confirmation