Days of the Week in Japanese
Learning the days of the week in Japanese is a fascinating journey into elemental kanji. Every day of the week ends with the suffix yōbi (曜日), meaning "day of the week." The first character of each day represents a natural element or celestial body.
Quick Answer Table
| English | Kanji | Romaji | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 月曜日 | getsuyōbi | |
| Tuesday | 火曜日 | kayōbi | |
| Wednesday | 水曜日 | suiyōbi | |
| Thursday | 木曜日 | mokuyōbi | |
| Friday | 金曜日 | kinyōbi | |
| Saturday | 土曜日 | doyōbi | |
| Sunday | 日曜日 | nichiyōbi |
Pronunciation Guide & Usage
Japanese pronunciation is relatively straightforward for English speakers, as the vowel sounds are consistent. The line over the "o" in yōbi indicates a long vowel sound, meaning you hold the "o" sound slightly longer.
When writing dates or schedules, Japanese people frequently abbreviate the days by dropping the "yōbi" and just writing the first kanji in parentheses. For example, Monday is written as (月).
Cultural Notes & Origins
The Japanese days of the week are based on the "Seven Luminaries" concept, which originated in ancient Babylon, traveled through China, and was adopted in Japan. Each day corresponds to a visible celestial body and a natural element:
- 月曜日 (Monday): 月 means Moon. (Moon's day)
- 火曜日 (Tuesday): 火 means Fire, representing Mars.
- 水曜日 (Wednesday): 水 means Water, representing Mercury.
- 木曜日 (Thursday): 木 means Wood/Tree, representing Jupiter.
- 金曜日 (Friday): 金 means Gold/Metal, representing Venus.
- 土曜日 (Saturday): 土 means Earth/Soil, representing Saturn.
- 日曜日 (Sunday): 日 means Sun. (Sun's day)
In modern Japan, the work week is typically Monday through Friday. If you are wondering how many days in a week Japanese students attend school, it used to be six days (including half-days on Saturday), but the system transitioned to a five-day school week in the early 2000s.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "yōbi" mean in Japanese?
"Yōbi" (曜日) translates to "day of the week". Every day in Japanese ends with this suffix.
What is the first day of the week in Japan?
Traditionally and on most calendars, Sunday (日曜日) is considered the first day of the week, though the work week begins on Monday.
How do you abbreviate days of the week in Japanese?
You simply use the first kanji character. For example, Monday (月曜日) is abbreviated as 月 (getsu).
Are the Japanese days related to planets?
Yes, the naming system is based on the "Seven Luminaries" (sun, moon, and five visible planets), which aligns perfectly with the Western planetary naming system.
Related Pages
Days of the Week in Mandarin
Learn xīngqī yī, xīngqī èr, and more.
Days of the Week in French
Discover lundi, mardi, and more.
Days of the Week in Spanish
Master lunes, martes, and more.
How Many Days in a Week?
Explore the origins of the 7-day week.