When learning a new language, it’s essential to understand how to express the concept of time. In Japanese, expressing the phrase “the day after tomorrow” can be a useful skill to have in daily conversations. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways of saying “the day after tomorrow” in Japanese. We will also provide some regional variations, where applicable, and offer tips and examples along the way.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways
In formal situations, such as business interactions or official events, it is important to use the appropriate language. Here are the formal ways to say “the day after tomorrow” in Japanese:
- あさって (Asatte): This is the most common and formal way to express “the day after tomorrow” in Japanese. It is widely understood and accepted in all regions of Japan. For example:
明日は忙しいですが、あさってなら時間があります。
Translation: “I’m busy tomorrow, but the day after tomorrow I have time.”
みょうごにち (Myōgonichi): Although less common, this phrase is still considered formal and suitable for polite conversations. It can be used as an alternative to “あさって (asatte).” Here’s an example:
来週の火曜日が大変ですが、みょうごにちは空いています。
Translation: “Next Tuesday is busy, but the day after tomorrow, I’m available.”
Informal Ways
In casual conversations or when speaking with friends and family, Japanese offers several informal expressions for “the day after tomorrow.” Here are some commonly used expressions:
- あさって (Asatte): Just as in formal situations, “あさって (asatte)” is widely used in informal contexts as well. It’s convenient as it works in all scenarios. Here’s an example:
明日は遊べないけど、あさってなら大丈夫だよ。
Translation: “I can’t play tomorrow, but the day after tomorrow should be fine.”
しあさって (Shiasatte): This expression, which adds the prefix “し (shi)” to “あさって (asatte),” is employed more often in spoken Japanese. It has a friendly and casual tone. For example:
明日は用事があるけど、しあさってはどうかな？
Translation: “I have plans for tomorrow, but what about the day after tomorrow?”
Regional Variations
While the above expressions are widely understood throughout Japan, some regional variations exist. These variations are more related to dialects rather than formal or informal usage. Here are two examples of regional variations:
- あさって (Asatte): In the Kansai region, particularly in and around Osaka, people sometimes pronounce “あさって (asatte)” as “あてっさ (atessa).” Here’s an example:
明日は仕事やけど、あてっさなら暇やで。
Translation: “I have work tomorrow, but the day after tomorrow, I’m free.”
ついさっきょく (Tsui-sakkoku): In some parts of Kyushu, particularly in southern Japan, “ついさっきょく (tsui-sakkoku)” is an expression used instead of “あさって (asatte).” Here’s an example:
明日はちょっと忙しいけど、ついさっきょくなら予定がない。
Translation: “I’m a bit busy tomorrow, but the day after tomorrow, I have no plans.”
Tips and Examples
When learning how to say “the day after tomorrow” in Japanese, keep these tips in mind:
- Pay attention to the formality of the situation to choose the appropriate expression.
- In most cases, “あさって (asatte)” is your safest choice, as it is understood across Japan.
- When in doubt, don’t hesitate to use “みょうごにち (myōgonichi)” in formal situations as an alternative to “あさって (asatte).”
- Listen to native speakers and try to mimic their pronunciation to sound more natural.
- Practice using these expressions in different contexts to solidify your understanding.
Now that you have learned the formal and informal ways to say “the day after tomorrow” in Japanese, you can confidently use these expressions in your conversations. Remember to adapt the level of politeness according to the situation and the relationship with the person you are speaking to. Keep practicing and immersing yourself in the language to further improve your Japanese skills. Ganbatte kudasai! (Good luck!)
