毎日
mainichi[ma̠iɲ̟it͡ɕi]
The English word "daily" can be translated into Japanese as 毎日 (mainichi).
毎日 is used to describe something that occurs every day. It can function as both an adjective and an adverb. When using it to indicate frequency, it is typically placed at the beginning of a sentence or before a verb.
Meaning: that occurs every day (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The first kanji in 毎日, 毎, means 'every'.
Which one should you use?
While 毎日 refers to the frequency of an event occurring every day, its related form 日々 often carries a more poetic nuance of 'day by day' or the continuous passing of days.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In Japanese, 毎日 functions as both an adjective and an adverb within a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
mainichi
Did you know?
- In certain business contexts, particularly among merchants in Osaka, the related word 毎度 'maido' is used as a ubiquitous greeting meaning 'always' or 'every time', effectively replacing 'hello' or 'thank you'.
- To describe something that happens 'every other day', Japanese speakers use the phrase 一日おきに 'ichinichi oki ni', which literally means 'with a gap of one day'.
- The second kanji in 毎日, 日, is also used to represent the 'sun' in many other contexts, making the word literally 'every sun'.
Examples in context
- 毎日走っているのですか？Do you go running daily?This sentence uses 毎日 to ask about the frequency of an activity.Tatoeba #829586 by arihato, translation #815682 by FeuDRenais2
- 金の価格は毎日変動します。The price of gold fluctuates daily.This sentence uses 毎日 to describe how often a price fluctuates.Tatoeba #10970895 by bunbuku, translation #18609 by CK
- 毎日の生活に満足していますか。Are you satisfied with your daily life?This sentence uses 毎日 as an adjective to modify a noun.Tatoeba #176863 by bunbuku, translation #237598 by CM
- 日々の努力が重要です。Daily effort is crucial.
- 毎日何してる？What do you do every day?
- 何気ない日常が最高だ。Simple daily life is the best.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are chatting about their study habits at a cafe.
- 蓮 Ren美咲さんは、毎日何をしていますか？Misaki-san wa, mainichi nani o shite imasu ka?Misaki, what do you do every day?
- 美咲 Misaki毎日、ヨガをしています。Mainichi, yoga o shite imasu.I do yoga every day.
- 蓮 Renすごいですね。僕も毎日運動したいです。Sugoi desu ne. Boku mo mainichi undō shitai desu.That's amazing. I want to exercise every day too.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮さんも、一緒に始めませんか？Ren-san mo, issho ni hajimemasen ka?Ren, why don't you start doing it with me?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 毎日, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
