Translation and Meaning of: 明日 - ashita

If you are studying Japanese, you have certainly come across the word 明日 (あした), which means "tomorrow." But do you know where it comes from, how its kanji was created, or how the Japanese use it in their daily lives? In this article, we will explore the etymology, the meaning, and even some tips for memorizing this essential word. Furthermore, you will discover how it appears in common expressions and why it is so present in Japanese culture. Here at Suki Nihongo, the largest online Japanese dictionary, you will also find examples of ready-made sentences to include in your Anki and boost your studies!

The origin and etymology of 明日

The word 明日 (あした) has an interesting history. The kanji 明 means "bright" or "clear," while 日 represents "day." Together, they form the idea of "the day that is to come." However, the pronunciation あした does not come directly from the readings of these ideograms — in fact, it is a kun'yomi reading, which is the way the Japanese used to pronounce the word before the introduction of Chinese characters.

Some linguists believe that あした may have originated from the ancient expression 朝 (あした), which meant "morning." Over time, the meaning evolved to refer to the next day, maintaining the association with dawn. Interesting, isn't it? This connection to the light of the new day helps to understand why the kanji 明 was chosen to represent the concept.

Use in everyday life and popular expressions

In Japan, 明日 is a word used in everyday conversations, both in casual and more formal contexts. One of the most common phrases is 明日またね (あしたまたね), which means "see you tomorrow." If you have watched a dorama or anime, you have likely heard this expression used when characters say goodbye.

Another interesting use is in the expression 明日は明日の風が吹く (あしたはあしたのかぜがふく), a proverb that means "tomorrow is another day" — something like "each day has its own problems." This phrase reflects a common mindset in Japan of not worrying too much about the future, as everything can change. Do you notice how language carries cultural aspects?

Tips for memorization and curiosities

A fun way to 明日 is to associate the kanji 明 (bright) with the idea of a "new day coming." Imagine the sun rising after a dark night — this image can help solidify the meaning. Another tip is to create flashcards with sentences like 明日会いましょう (あしたあいましょう) — "let's meet tomorrow."

Did you know that in some regional dialects of Japan, あした can be pronounced slightly differently? In Okinawa, for example, you might hear "achaa" instead of the standard. These variations show how rich and diverse the Japanese language is. So, are you ready to use 明日 in your next conversations in Japanese?

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

明日 (Asu) - tomorrow
明日 (Ashita) - tomorrow

Related words

明後日

asate

the day after tomorrow

明くる

akuru

next; Following

明日

Romaji: ashita
Kana: あした
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4, jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: tomorrow

Meaning in English: tomorrow

Definition: The period between the end of one day and the beginning of the next.

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How to Write in Japanese - (明日) ashita

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (明日) ashita:

Example Sentences - (明日) ashita

See below some example sentences:

この劇は明日から上演されます。

Kono geki wa ashita kara jōen sa remasu

This piece will be presented starting tomorrow.

This performance will take place starting tomorrow.

この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
劇 - noun that means "play" or "drama"
は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "this play"
明日 - substantive that means "tomorrow"
から - particle that indicates the starting point of an action, in this case, "from"
上演 - verb that means "to present (a play, a concert, etc.)"
されます - ive and polite form of the verb "suru", which means "to do" or "to perform"

悪日にも明日がある。

Warui hi ni mo ashita ga aru

Even on a bad day

There is tomorrow on bad days.

悪日 - It means "bad day" in Japanese.
にも - It is a Japanese particle that indicates inclusion or addition.
明日 - It means "tomorrow" in Japanese.
が - It is a Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
ある - means "to exist" in Japanese.
. - Finish the sentence.

私は明日の会議で計画を述べる予定です。

Watashi wa ashita no kaigi de keikaku o noberu yotei desu

I plan to present the plan at tomorrow's meeting.

I intend to make a plan at tomorrow's meeting.

私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
明日 (ashita) - Japanese adverb that means "tomorrow"
の (no) - possessive particle indicating that "tomorrow" belongs to "meeting"
会議 (kaigi) - Japanese noun meaning "meeting"
で (de) - location particle that indicates where the action will take place
計画 (keikaku) - Japanese noun meaning "plan"
を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates what will be mentioned
述べる (noberu) - Japanese verb meaning "to mention"
予定 (yotei) - Japanese noun meaning "programming" or "schedule"
です (desu) - verb to be in the present, which indicates the conclusion of the sentence

私は明日の試験のために勉強をするつもりです。

Watashi wa ashita no shiken no tame ni benkyou wo suru tsumori desu

I intend to study for the exam tomorrow.

I will study for the exam tomorrow.

私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
明日 (ashita) - Japanese adverb that means "tomorrow"
の (no) - possessive particle that indicates that "tomorrow" belongs to the following noun
試験 (shiken) - Japanese noun that means "exam"
ために (tameni) - Japanese expression that means "for"
勉強 (benkyou) - 日本語の名詞で「研究」を意味するのは「勉強」（べんきょう）です。
を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the noun that receives the action of the verb
する (suru) - Japanese verb meaning "to do"
つもり (tsumori) - Japanese expression that means "to intend"
です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the formality of the sentence

私は明日図書館から本を借りる予定です。

Watashi wa ashita toshokan kara hon wo kariru yotei desu

I plan on borrowing a book from the library tomorrow.

I plan to rent a book from the library tomorrow.

私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
明日 (ashita) - Japanese adverb that means "tomorrow"
図書館 (toshokan) - Japanese noun meaning "library"
から (kara) - particle indicating the origin or starting point, in this case, "from the library"
本 (hon) - Japanese noun meaning "book"
を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action, in this case, "book"
借りる (kariru) - Japanese verb meaning "to lend"
予定 (yotei) - Japanese noun meaning "plan" or "schedule"
です (desu) - linking verb that indicates formality and courtesy in the Japanese language

私は明日までにそのイベントに申し込むつもりです。

Watashi wa ashita made ni sono ibento ni moushikomu tsumori desu

I plan to for this event by tomorrow.

I will for the event by tomorrow.

私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
は (wa) - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
明日 (ashita) - Japanese noun meaning "tomorrow"
までに (made ni) - expression indicating a deadline or time limit, in this case, "until"
その (sono) - 日本語の指示代名詞で「それ」にあたるのは「あれ」です。
イベント (ibento) - Japanese noun meaning "event"
に (ni) - particle indicating action or destination, in this case "to"
申し込む (moushikomu) - Japanese verb meaning "to sign up"
つもりです (tsumori desu) - expression that indicates intention or plan, in this case, "pretendo"

私は明日の会議に欠席します。

Watashi wa ashita no kaigi ni kessei shimasu

I will be absent from tomorrow's meeting.

私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
明日 (ashita) - substantive that means "tomorrow"
の (no) - Particle indicating possession or relationship
会議 (kaigi) - noun meaning "gathering" or "meeting"
に (ni) - particle that indicates destination or goal
欠席 (kesseki) - noun meaning "absence" or "lack"
します (shimasu) - verb meaning "to do" or "to accomplish"

私は明日の大会に出場します。

Watashi wa ashita no taikai ni shutsujō shimasu

I will compete in tomorrow's tournament.

I will participate in tomorrow's tournament.

私 - personal pronoun "I"
は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "me"
明日 - adverb of time "tomorrow"
の - possessive particle, indicates that "tomorrow" belongs to the next word
大会 - noun "competition"
に - destination particle, indicates that "competition" is the destination of the action
出場 - verb "to participate"
します - polite form of the verb "to do"

私は明日の運勢を占う。

Watashi wa ashita no unsei wo uranau

I will predict my luck tomorrow.

I will tell you the fortune of tomorrow.

私 - personal pronoun meaning "I" in Japanese.
は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "me".
明日 - a noun meaning "tomorrow" in Japanese.
の - possession particle indicating that "tomorrow" is the object of the action.
運勢 - a noun meaning "luck" or "fate" in Japanese.
を - object particle indicating that "luck" is the object of the action.
占う - verb meaning "to guess" or "to predict" in Japanese.