How to Say Today, Tomorrow & Yesterday in Japanese — Time Words [JLPT N5]
Content by NTJ Kuma · Nihongo to Japan editorial team · Updated July 27, 2026
Say today, tomorrow, yesterday, last week, next month and last year in Japanese — counting from “now,” with examples and practice. (JLPT N5)
Japanese time words all pivot on “today”
“Go tomorrow, come back the day after, saw them last week” — Japanese time words are a system that pivots on “now,” counting forward and back: days use 昨日／今日／明日, weeks 先週／今週／来週, months 先月／今月／来月 (先 = past, 今 = present, 来 = future). This guide lays out that 「先／今／来」 coordinate system and clears up a very common error: these relative time words don't take 「に」.
The coordinate: 先／今／来 (＋昨／明)
Counting back and forward from now:
- Day: 一昨日 (day before yesterday)・昨日・今日・明日・明後日 (day after tomorrow)
- Week: 先週・今週・来週・再来週
- Month: 先月・今月・来月・再来月
- Year: 去年・今年・来年・再来年
Pattern: 先 = the previous, 今 = this, 来 = the next (days and years have the special 昨日／明日, 去年／来年).
The time-word system
| Unit | Past | Present | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
| day | 昨日 (きのう) | 今日 (きょう) | 明日 (あした) |
| week | 先週 | 今週 | 来週 |
| month | 先月 | 今月 | 来月 |
| year | 去年 | 今年 | 来年 |
Examples in context
- 今日は天気がいいですね。(Nice weather today, isn't it.) — now
- 昨日、友達と映画を見た。(Yesterday I watched a movie with a friend.) — past
- 来週、日本へ行きます。(I'm going to Japan next week.) — future
- 3時に会いましょう。(Let's meet at 3.) — absolute time (takes に)
- あとで電話しますね。(I'll call you later.) — relative (no に)
⚠️ Common mistakes to avoid
① Relative time words take no 「に」. 今日・明日・昨日・毎日・今・来週・あとで take no に (✗ 明日に行く → 明日行く).
② Specific time points do take 「に」. Clock times, dates, weekdays take に (3時に, 5日に, 月曜日に). Test: can it be pinned to a date/time? If yes → に; if relative → no に.
③ Reading traps. 今日 = きょう, 明日 = あした (casual)／みょうにち (formal), 昨日 = きのう — not the plain on'yomi; memorize them.
🔄 Compare with similar forms: relative time words vs absolute time points
| Type | Takes に? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| relative time word | ✗ no | 今日・明日・来週・毎日 |
| absolute point (clock/date/weekday) | ○ yes | 3時に・5日に・月曜日に |
| holidays/seasons | usually yes | 夏休みに・正月に |
💡 How to remember this
The time words themselves are easy; what costs points is the “に or no に.” One test: can it be pinned to a definite point (3時, 月曜日, 5日) → に; is it relative to today (今日, 明日, 来週, 毎日) → no に. Also memorize the special readings (きょう・あした・きのう・おととい), which don't follow the kanji sounds, or listening will trip you up.
❓ Quick FAQ
Q: Why no に in 「明日行く」 but に in 「3時に行く」?
「明日」 is relative to today, and relative time words take no に; 「3時」 is a definite point, so it takes に. Test: can the time be written as a date/clock/weekday? If yes, に; if it's a 「昨/今/明・先/今/来」 relative word, no に.
Q: Why is 「今日」 read 「きょう」, not 「こんにち」?
「今日」 is a special kun'yomi compound (きょう); 「こんにち」 is a more formal reading (the source of こんにちは). Everyday time uses きょう. Memorize these special readings (明日 = あした, 昨日 = きのう) individually.
🖊️ Practice Quiz
Q1. 「___、天気がいいですね。」(the weather is nice today)
(A) 今日 (きょう) (B) 昨日 (きのう) (C) 明日 (あした) (D) 明後日 (あさって)
Q2. 「___、友達と映画を見た。」(watched a movie with a friend yesterday)
(A) 明日 (B) 先週 (C) 昨日 (D) 今月
Q3. 「3時___会いましょう。」(let's meet at 3) Which particle?
(A) に (B) が (C) で (D) を
Q4. 「今日___行きます。」(go today) Fill the blank (if needed)
(A) に (B) で (C) が (D) (no particle needed)
Q5. 「___電話しますね。」(I'll call you later)
(A) もう (B) まだ (C) あとで (D) やっと
Answer Key
1. (A) 今日 (きょう) ── ‘the weather is nice' describes today. Note the reading: 今日 = きょう.
2. (C) 昨日 (きのう) ── past (見た) ＋ yesterday. Note: 昨日 = きのう.
3. (A) に ── a specific clock time uses に: 3時に.
4. (D) no particle needed ── relative time words like 今日/明日/毎日 take no に.
5. (C) あとで ── あとで = later: あとで電話します.