毎日
mainichi[ma̠iɲ̟it͡ɕi]
The English phrase 'every day' is translated into Japanese as 毎日 (mainichi).
毎日 is used to describe actions occurring every day. In Japanese, 毎日 can function as an adverb and does not require a particle like 'ni' to indicate frequency.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 毎日 is composed of 毎 (every) and 日 (day).
How does it change in a sentence?
You can create related phrases by replacing the character for 'day' (日) with other time increments: replacing it with 朝 creates 毎朝 (every morning), with 晩 creates 毎晩 (every night) and with 月 creates 毎月 (every month).
Did you know?
- The character 毎 is composed of parts that historically represented a woman and a hair ornament. This visual origin eventually evolved into the meaning of 'every' or 'each'.
- The word 毎日 is also the name of one of the largest newspapers in Japan, Mainichi Shimbun. Using the phrase in a sentence about news might lead some to think you are referring to the publication.
- Japanese has a word 日々 (hibi) which literally means 'days days'. It is used to describe the gradual change of a situation over 'every day' rather than a strict daily schedule.
Examples in context
- 毎日電話するよ。I'm going to call you every day.This sentence shows how to express a daily intention to call.Tatoeba #8645486 by bunbuku, translation #7120702 by CK
- 毎日、日は昇る。The sun rises every day.This sentence describes a daily natural occurrence.Tatoeba #9392399 by small_snow, translation #9392385 by CK
- 母は毎日洗濯する。My mother washes clothes every day.This sentence describes a daily chore.Tatoeba #82853 by bunbuku, translation #484053 by CK
- 私は毎日日本語を勉強します。I study Japanese every day.
- 毎日何時に起きるの？What time do you wake up every day?
- 428 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their exercise routines.
- 陽葵 Himari毎日、ジョギングをしていますか？Mainichi, jogingu o shite imasu ka?Do you go jogging every day?
- 健太 Kentaいいえ、毎日ではありません。Iie, mainichi de wa arimasen.No, not every day.
- 陽葵 Himari週に何回くらいですか？Shū ni nankai kurai desu ka?About how many times a week?
- 健太 Kenta三回くらいです。Sankai kurai desu.About three times.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 毎日, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 毎日, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
