昨日

kinō
ja
en
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yesterday, yesterday, the previous day
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/kinoꜜː/
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+1
The day immediately before today, with a separate formal reading.
Practice using 昨日 in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • 昨日の会議で決まったことをお知らせします。
    I will share what was decided at yesterday’s meeting.
  • 昨日買った本を読んでいる。
    I am reading the book I bought yesterday.
  • 昨日は雨だった。
    It rained yesterday.
  • 昨日はご来店ありがとうございました。
    Thank you for visiting yesterday.
  • 昨日の報告をご確認ください。
    Please check yesterday’s report.

Similar words

前日
きのう

Meanings

Yesterday, everyday reading

noun
time
neutral
Read kinō, the day before today in ordinary speech and writing.

Examples

  • 昨日は雨だった。
    It rained yesterday.
  • 昨日、友達に会った。
    I met a friend yesterday.
  • 昨日の夜は早く寝た。
    I went to bed early last night.
  • 昨日買った本を読んでいる。
    I am reading the book I bought yesterday.
  • 昨日まで休みだった。
    I was on holiday until yesterday.

Similar words

きのう

Yesterday, formal reading

noun
time
formal
Read sakujitsu, the same day in formal speech, notices, and reports.

Examples

  • 昨日はご来店ありがとうございました。
    Thank you for visiting yesterday.
  • 昨日の会議で決まったことをお知らせします。
    I will share what was decided at yesterday’s meeting.
  • 昨日、書類を発送いたしました。
    We sent the documents yesterday.
  • 昨日の報告をご確認ください。
    Please check yesterday’s report.
  • 昨日発生した事故について説明します。
    I will explain the accident that occurred yesterday.

Similar words

前日

Etymology

The everyday reading きのう developed in native Japanese; the same characters also carry the Sino-Japanese reading さくじつ.

FAQ

How do you read 昨日?

Usually きのう (kinō); formal さくじつ (sakujitsu) is also common.

Do both readings mean yesterday?

Yes. They differ chiefly in register, not which day they name.

Which reading fits conversation?

Use きのう in ordinary conversation.

Which reading fits an announcement?

さくじつ is common in formal announcements and reports.

What day comes after 昨日?

今日, today, comes after it.

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