Time Expressions (時の表現)
Japanese has specific words for relative time — today, tomorrow, last week, next year, etc. Many of these follow patterns, but some are irregular and must be memorized.
Days (Relative)
明日 can also be read あす (slightly more formal).
Weeks
Months
Years
The Pattern
Notice the pattern for weeks, months, and years:
| Week | Month | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before last | 先々週 | 先々月 | おととし |
| Last | 先週 | 先月 | 去年 |
| This | 今週 | 今月 | 今年 |
| Next | 来週 | 来月 | 来年 |
| After next | 再来週 | 再来月 | 再来年 |
| Every | 毎週 | 毎月 | 毎年 |
先 (before), 今 (now), 来 (coming), 再来 (again coming), 毎 (every)
Days of the Week (曜日)
The days follow the classical elements: moon, fire, water, wood, gold/metal, earth, sun. In casual speech, 曜日 is often shortened to just 曜 — 月曜 (げつよう).
Months of the Year
Simply the number + 月 (がつ). No irregular readings.
Time of Day
Duration
To express how long something takes, use 間 (かん) after the time counter. Note the difference between a point in time and a duration:
Point in time vs duration:
三時に起きた。 — Woke up at 3 o'clock.
三時間寝た。 — Slept for 3 hours.
Useful Phrases
今日は何曜日ですか。
きょうはなんようびですか
What day of the week is it today?
来週の月曜日に会いましょう。
らいしゅうのげつようびにあいましょう
Let's meet next Monday.
先月から日本語を勉強しています。
せんげつからにほんごをべんきょうしています
I've been studying Japanese since last month.
毎朝六時に起きます。
まいあさろくじにおきます
I wake up at 6 every morning.