Learn time expressions as a connected set, then use them in short plans. The contrast between 昨日 and 明日 is more useful when you can also choose an appropriate verb ending.
Anchor the words to the speaker’s day
今日 is today, 昨日 is yesterday, and 明日 is tomorrow. The reference point moves with the day of speaking. 今週 is this week, 先週 last week, and 来週 next week. Do not read 来週 as “the week after this event” without checking which week the speaker means.
Relative expressions such as 今日 and 毎日 normally appear without a time-marking に in ordinary beginner sentences. An exact clock time, such as 三時に, commonly uses に. This contrast helps you avoid mechanically adding に after every English time phrase.
Put a time word into a plan
明日、図書館に行きます describes a future plan even though 行きます is called a non-past form. 昨日、図書館に行きました describes a completed visit. Start with a date, then read the ending; neither one should be ignored.
Examples to read before you practise
Japanese | Reading / English |
|---|---|
今日 | きょう — today |
昨日 | きのう — yesterday |
明日 | あした／あす — tomorrow |
今週 | こんしゅう — this week |
先週 | せんしゅう — last week |
来週 | らいしゅう — next week |
毎日 | まいにち — every day |
今朝 | けさ — this morning |
Try six questions
Try these self-check questions from memory, then compare your answers with the explanations. For automatic checking and saved progress, open the related practice after this article.
Write today in Japanese.
Write yesterday in Japanese.
Write next week in Japanese.
Write every day in Japanese.
昨日、図書館に（ ）。 Use polite past of 行く.
三時（ ）出ます。 Mark the clock time.
Answer key and explanations
今日 / きょう — 今日 anchors the statement to today.
昨日 / きのう — 昨日 is the day before today.
来週 / らいしゅう — 来週 means next week.
毎日 / まいにち — 毎日 describes repeated daily activity.
行きました / いきました — The visit is in the past.
に — An exact time commonly uses に.
Keep learning
Related lessons
Try what you have just read
Recognise the pattern, write an answer from memory, then use it in a short reading. Your existing progress carries over.
Open the three-step lessonSources
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