Read and Write Japanese Dates Correctly Like a Native

Introduction to Japanese Dates of the Month

Understanding Japanese dates of the month is essential for navigating everyday life in Japan, whether you’re scheduling meetings, making travel plans, or simply understanding calendar dates in Japanese. Unlike English, Japanese dates follow unique readings and patterns that require memorization, particularly for the first ten days and select other dates.

In this guide, we will break down everything you need to know about Japanese dates, including the days of the week, months, and the specific way to say dates of the month. By the end, you’ll have a solid grasp of how to read and use dates in Japanese with confidence.

Days of the Week in Japanese

Japanese days of the week follow a logical pattern, each ending with 曜日 (youbi), which translates to “day of the week.” The first character in each day’s name is derived from nature or celestial bodies:

You’ll often see just the first kanji (e.g., 月, 火, 水) used in schedules, newspapers, and store hours.

Japanese Months of the Year

The Japanese calendar follows a simple pattern when naming months. Instead of unique names like “January” or “February,” months are formed by adding the Japanese number to 月 (gatsu), meaning “month.”

⚠️ Important Pronunciation Note:

• April, July, and September use shi (4), shichi (7), and ku (9) instead of the typical yon, nana, and kyuu used in counting numbers.

How to Say Japanese Dates of the Month

Japanese dates are a bit more complex than months because the first ten days, the 14th, 20th, and 24th have unique readings.

Special Readings for the 1st-10th, 14th, 20th, and 24th

For other dates (11th-31st), simply combine the corresponding Japanese number with 日 (nichi):

• 11th: 十一日 (juuichinichi)
• 15th: 十五日 (juugonichi)
• 25th: 二十五日 (nijuugonichi)

✅ Key tip:
The 4th (yokka) and 8th (youka) sound similar, so be careful with pronunciation!

How to Say Full Dates in Japanese

When saying the full date (month + day), follow this structure:

📅 [Month] + [Date]

• January 1st → 一月一日 (ichigatsu tsuitachi)
• July 14th → 七月十四日 (shichigatsu juuyokka)
• December 31st → 十二月三十一日 (juunigatsu sanjuuichinichi)

In spoken Japanese, you may also hear 「今日は何日ですか？」(Kyou wa nannichi desu ka?) meaning “What’s today’s date?”

Common Time-Related Words in Japanese

Beyond specific dates, here are useful relative time expressions:

If you’re making travel plans or setting appointments, these words are extremely helpful!

Quick Summary: Japanese Dates of the Month

• Days of the week follow elements like “fire” (火) and “moon” (月).
• Months are simply numbered with 月 (gatsu).
• Dates of the month have unique readings for certain days.
• Understanding pronunciation (especially for 4th, 8th, 14th, and 20th) is crucial.
• Relative time words help in casual and formal conversations.

Final Thoughts & Next Steps

Mastering Japanese dates of the month is a valuable skill for anyone studying Japanese, visiting Japan, or working in a Japanese-speaking environment. With practice, remembering dates and using them in conversations will become second nature.

For additional practice, check out our free Japanese numbers guide to reinforce your learning! Download here 🚀

Now that you know how to express dates in Japanese, try using them in real conversations and expand your fluency step by step! 🎌

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