日
jat⁶
The Cantonese word for "day" (a period of 24 hours) is 日 (jat⁶).
Meaning: period of 24 hours (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term 日頭 is used specifically to refer to the period "during the day" and 每日 is a standard combination used to mean "every day" or "daily".
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the frequency of "every day" or "day after day", you can reduplicate the character to form 日日. Additionally, the combination 每日 is a standard way to express "every day" or "daily" in both spoken and written Cantonese.
How do you pronounce it?
jat⁶
Did you know?
- While 日 means 'day', Cantonese speakers often use 天 (tin¹) in spoken conversation to refer to a day. Using 日 in certain spoken contexts can sound overly formal or like written Chinese.
- In traditional Cantonese culture, certain 'lucky days' are calculated using a lunar calendar. These are called 吉日 and are essential for scheduling weddings and business openings.
- If you want to refer to the 'daylight' specifically, you would say 日頭, which literally translates to 'sun head'.
Examples in context
- 渠前日走咗。He passed away the day before yesterday.This example shows how to use 日 when referring to a past date.Tatoeba #12073441 by thesilhouette, translation #10527411 by AlanF_US
- 渠幾乎日日都喊。He cries almost every day.This example demonstrates the use of the reduplicated form 日日 to express frequency.Tatoeba #12112173 by thesilhouette, translation #1809605 by marcelostockle
- 日本人每日食三餐。Japanese eat three meals a day.This example shows how 每日 is used to describe a daily occurrence.Tatoeba #418560 by nickyeow, translation #418502 by CN
- 今日Today
- 每日Every day
- 這個星期日我有時間I have time this Sunday.
- 113 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are discussing their travel plans.
- 志強 Chi Keung我哋去幾多日？ngo5 dei2 heoi3 gei2 do1 jat6?How many days are we going for?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung大概去三日。daai6 faai3 heoi3 saam1 jat6.About three days.
- 志強 Chi Keung三日夠唔夠時間？saam1 jat6 gau3 m4 gau3 si4 gaan3?Is three days enough time?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung應該可以。jing1 goi1 ho2 ji5.It should be fine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “day” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
