Translation and Meaning of: 明後日 - asate

If you have already studied Japanese, you have probably come across the word 明後日 (あさって), which means "the day after tomorrow." But do you know where it came from, how the Japanese use it in their daily lives, or why the kanji looks so complex for something so simple? In this article, we will deeply explore the etymology, practical usage, and even tips for memorizing this very useful expression. Additionally, you will discover how it appears in real conversations and why some students confuse its meaning. And if you use Anki or another spaced repetition method, get ready to learn practical phrases that will enhance your studies!

Etymology and Origin of 明後日

The word 明後日 (あさって) is formed by three kanji: 明 (mei/aka), which means "clear" or "bright"; 後 (go/ato), which indicates "after" or "behind"; and 日 (nichi/hi), which represents "day." Together, they create the idea of "the day after tomorrow," meaning two days ahead of the current day. Interestingly, this construction is not as obvious as it seems, since the kanji 明 can also refer to dawn, reinforcing the notion of time that moves forward.

In ancient Japanese, the pronunciation "asatte" was already used even before the adoption of Chinese kanji. When the characters were incorporated, the Japanese sought combinations that made sense with the already established pronunciation. Therefore, although the reading is kun'yomi (Japanese), the writing in kanji was adapted to reflect the meaning. It's no wonder that many students get confused when trying to decipher this word just by the appearance of the ideograms!

Lies in Japanese Everyday Life

In Japan, 明後日 is a common word in everyday conversations, especially when talking about upcoming commitments. If you schedule something for the day after tomorrow with a Japanese friend, it's highly likely that they will respond with "asatte desu ka?" to confirm. It is also frequently seen in notices, such as delivery deadlines or event dates, being more formal than simply counting the days numerically.

An interesting curiosity is that, in some regions of Japan, especially in local dialects, you can hear variations like "shi-asatte" to refer to the day after tomorrow (that is, three days from now). But be careful: this is not standard and can cause confusion if used in Tokyo or Osaka. To avoid misunderstandings, it is best to always use the standard term when learning.

Tips for Memorization and Pronunciation

If you have difficulty remembering that あさって means "the day after tomorrow," try associating the sound "asa" (as in "asa" - morning) with the idea of a new day coming. Another technique is to create a mental phrase like "Oh, is it coming out today? No, it will come out the day after tomorrow!" using "a-sa-tte" to reinforce the meaning. The pronunciation is simpler than it seems: "a" as in "water," "sa" as in "Saturday," and "tte" with a short "te," almost like a click at the end.

For those studying kanji, it is worth breaking down 明後日 into smaller parts: 明 (light) + 後 (after) + 日 (day) = "the day illuminated that comes after." Visualizing this sequence can help memorize both the writing and the meaning. And if you already know words like 明日 (ashita – tomorrow) and 今日 (kyou – today), how about placing them on a mental timeline? Today → Tomorrow → The day after tomorrow (あさって). This way, you create a network of connections that facilitates long-term memorization.