Topic Lesson: Days of the Week

BEGINNER
In this lesson, study some of the similarities between the origins of the Japanese and English words for days of the week. First study the meaning and kanji for each word, and practice the words through a short song. Then, check your recognition and understanding of the kanji. Finally, study some short dialogues to help you develop your understanding.
To complete this lesson, work through the activities below. Estimated time: 15 minutes
As with the Western calendar, the days of the week in Japanese are based on traditional elements of the environment. In some cases, the same exact elements are used for the same days of the week, as with
にちようび
日曜日
, which literally means 'sun-day', and refers to the Western Sunday, and
げつようび
月曜日
 which means 'moon-day', and refers to Monday.
Each day of the week follows the same three kanji pattern - the first kanji indicates the day, the second is
よう
曜
 meaning 'day of the week', and then
ひ
日
 meaning 'day' (together read as ようび).
First, study the list of words in the table below.
日曜日にちようびsunSunday
月曜日げつようびmoonMonday
火曜日かようびfireTuesday
水曜日すいようびwaterWednesday
木曜日もくようびwoodThursday
金曜日きんようびgoldFriday
土曜日どようびearthSaturday
The question
なんようび
何曜日
 what day?; what day of the week?
is simply formed by adding
なん
何
 to
ようび
曜日
Of course,
いつ when; how soon
is also often used when discussing days.
よう
曜
 is not a beginner kanji. We include it throughout the activities in this lesson to foster the ability to recognize this everyday kanji.
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