明日
ashita[a̠ɕi̥ta̠]
The Japanese phrase asu is translated as asu (phrase).
Which one should you use?
While the kanji 明日 can be read as both asu and ashita, the pronunciation ashita is the standard pronunciation used in daily conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
ashita
Did you know?
- The word asu is recorded in the Kojiki, a collection of myths and legends from 712 CE, making it one of the oldest attested words for 'tomorrow' in the language.
- The kanji 明 in 明日 carries the meaning of 'bright' or 'light', linking the concept of tomorrow to the return of light after the dark of night.
- The word asu can sometimes be used metaphorically to refer to the 'future' of a nation or a person, rather than just the next calendar day.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their plans for the next day.
- 大翔 Hiroto明日、一緒に買い物に行かない？Ashita, issho ni kaimono ni ikanai?Do you want to go shopping together tomorrow?
- 陽葵 Himariいいよ！何時に行く？Ii yo! Nan-ji ni iku?Sure! What time shall we go?
- 大翔 Hiroto午前十時はどうかな？Gozen juu-ji wa dou kana?How about ten in the morning?
- 陽葵 Himariそれでいいよ。楽しみにしてるね。Sore de ii yo. Tanoshimi ni shiteru ne.That works. I'm looking forward to it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 明日, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 明日, CC BY-SA 4.0.
