ある日
aru hi
The English phrase 'one day' can be translated into Japanese as ある日 (aru hi).
ある日 is used to refer to an unspecified time in the future or, most commonly, as a storytelling device to introduce an unspecified day in the past. It functions as an adverb to set a scene in time.
Meaning: at unspecified time in the future (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective ある (aru), meaning 'a certain' and the noun 日 (hi), meaning 'day'.
Which one should you use?
While the English 'one day' can imply a specific goal or dream, such as 'One day I will be king', the Japanese ある日 is primarily used as a narrative device to set a scene in time. Additionally, if you are discussing a single, specific calendar day rather than an indefinite period, you should use 一日 (ichijitsu) instead.
How do you pronounce it?
aru hi
Did you know?
- Unlike the English 'one day' which can be used in casual conversation to describe a vague future plan, using ある日 in daily speech can make you sound like you are reciting a script or a legend.
- In many Japanese folk tales, the phrase ある日 acts as a linguistic 'Once upon a time' signal. It prepares the listener for a departure from daily reality into a legendary or mythical sequence of events.
- While ある日 describes a day, the phrase ある時 (aru toki) is used interchangeably to mean 'one time' or 'one day' when the focus is on the moment rather than the date.
Examples in context
- ある日、彼は医者に行った。One day he went to see the doctor.This sentence is useful for showing how to use ある日 to introduce a past action.Tatoeba #1221865 by bunbuku, translation #67154 by CK
- ある日、公園で美しい夕日を見た。One day, I witnessed a beautiful sunset at the park.This sentence is useful for showing how to use ある日 to describe seeing something in the past.Tatoeba #13065856 by Gardenia, translation #13245688 by Lumi
- ある日、私はぶらぶらと歩いて森の中に入っていった。One day I strolled into the woods.This sentence is useful for showing how to use ある日 when describing a past event in a story.Tatoeba #186497 by KK_kaku_, translation #23633 by blay_paul
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their future dreams.
- 大翔 Hirotoある日、世界一周したいんだ。Aru hi, sekai isshū shitai nda.One day, I want to travel around the world.
- 陽葵 Himariいいですね。私も一緒に行きたいです。Ii desu ne. Watashi mo issho ni ikitai desu.That sounds great. I want to go with you too.
- 大翔 Hiroto大翔ならきっと実現できるよ。Hiroto nara kitto jitsugen dekiru yo.If it's Hiroto, I'm sure you can make it happen.
- 陽葵 Himari陽葵にそう言ってもらえると心強いな。Himari ni sō itte moraeru to kokorozuyoi na.It's encouraging to hear that from you, Himari.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
