次
[ɕi]
The Japanese word for 'next' or 'following' is 次 (tsugi).
次 is used to indicate the very next item or person in a sequence. It can also be expanded into phrases like 次へ (tsugi e), which means 'to the next' and is commonly found on buttons or signs to mean 'Next' or 'Proceed to next'.
What does it mean word for word?
The character 次 literally means 'next' or 'following' in a sequence.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 次 as an adjective to modify a noun, such as when saying 'the next station', you must add the particle の to form 次の (tsugi no).
Did you know?
- The character 次 entered the Japanese language from Middle Chinese, where it carried the meaning 'in order' or 'second'.
- While tsugi means 'next', it is a homophone for another word tsugi (継ぎ) that means a 'patch' or 'seam' in clothing.
- While you might read the character 次 as 'tsugi' in daily life, it is also read as 'ji' in many formal compounds and names.
Examples in context
- 明日の会議の 次の 議題は何ですか？What is the next agenda of tomorrow's meeting?
- 上司の 次の 指示に従ってください。Please follow the next instructions from your boss.
- 次はどこへ行きますか？tsugi wa doko e ikimasu ka?Where are we going next?
- 次のバスはいつ来ますか？tsugi no basu wa itsu kimasu ka?When is the next bus coming?
- 次は私の番です。tsugi wa watashi no ban desu.It is my turn next.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are waiting at a bus stop.
- 結衣 Yui次のバスはもう来ましたか？tsugi no basu wa mou kimashita ka?Has the next bus come yet?
- 健太 Kentaいいえ、まだ来ていません。iie, mada kite imasen.No, it hasn't come yet.
- 結衣 Yui次はいつ来るのでしょうか。tsugi wa itsu kuru no deshou ka.I wonder when the next one will come.
- 健太 Kentaもう少し待ってみましょう。mou sukoshi matte mimashou.Let's wait a little longer.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 次, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 次, CC BY-SA 4.0.
