How do you say Monday to Sunday in Japan? Knowing the days of the week in Japanese is one of the essential skills you need to have for everyday communication. Once you know them, along with days and months, you’ll find it much easier to make plans with your friends.

In this guide, we’ll introduce each day of the week with its Japanese name, pronunciation, and useful tips to help you remember them quickly. Let’s get started!

Basics of days in Japanese: 曜日 (Youbi) 

Just like how each day of the week from Monday to Sunday ends with “day” in English, it is essentially the same in Japanese. Each day of the week ends with the word 曜日(youbi), which roughly means “day” but is specifically used for the weekdays. 

Note that although it’s spelled youbi, the first syllable isn’t pronounced like the English word “you.” In Japanese, it’s pronounced yo (as in “yo-yo”), followed by u (as in “oops”) and bi (like “bee”). This follows Japanese pronunciation rules and the concept of long vowels, not English phonetics.

Breaking down the characters, 曜 (you) means a celestial body, such as a planet, moon, or star, and 日 (bi) simply means “day”. The terms for the days of the week have their origins in ancient China, which associated each weekday with mythological beliefs in the celestial bodies. 

According to ancient Chinese astrology and mythology, there are five celestial bodies: fire, water, tree, gold/metal, and earth. Additionally, there is the moon and the sun. These concepts were brought to Japan, where they merged with local mythology to form the weekday names still used today. See how each day’s name relates to specific stars and planets.

Days of the Week in Japanese

The days of the week are quite simple. All you have to do is add one of the names of the weekday before 曜日 (youbi). Below is an infographic showing each day of the week along with the literal meaning of weekday to help make it easier to remember.

Here is each weekday in a table as well, showing each word in English, kanji, hiragana, and romaji for your convenience:

Breaking down each Japanese weekdays

So, let’s take a look at each name of the weekday in Japanese, breaking down the literal translation as well as the actual name of the weekday. We will explore the traditional meanings of each weekday and their origins in Japanese astrology. This will not only help you remember each day of the week, but perhaps will give you a peek into Japan’s rich history with ancient China. 

Let’s look at each Japanese weekday name, breaking down both the literal meaning and the modern-day term. We’ll also explore the traditional origins of these names in Japanese astrology. This will not only help you remember the days of the week more easily but also give you a glimpse into Japan’s deep historical ties with ancient China

1. Monday: 月曜日(Getsuyoubi)

月曜日 (getsuyoubi) literally means ‘moon day’ since the character 月 (getsu) translates to moon. Somehow, like in many countries halfway across the world, ancient China, Japan, and Korea associated Monday with the moon.

2. Tuesday: 火曜日(Kayoubi) 

火曜日 (kayoubi) means ‘fire day’ as the character 火 (ka or hi) literally means fire. However, the word kayoubi actually refers to Mars, which was called the fire star in ancient China due to its red color. 

3. Wednesday: 水曜日(Suiyoubi) 

水曜日 (sui youbi) means ‘water day’ with the character 水 (sui or mizu) meaning water. But in the context of weekdays, suiyoubi refers to Mercury, or the water star in ancient Chinese.

4. Thursday: 木曜日 (Mokuyoubi) 

木曜日 (moku youbi) means ‘tree day’ with the character 木 (moku or ki) meaning tree. However, mokuyoubi refers to Jupiter, which was called the wood star in ancient Chinese since the color resembled wood. 

5. Friday: 金曜日 (Kinyoubi) 

金曜日 (kinyoubi) literally translates to ‘gold day’, referring to Venus, which was thought to resemble metal. The character 金 (kin) can translate to gold, metal, or even money.

6. Saturday: 土曜日 (Doyoubi) 

土曜日 (do youbi) just means ‘earth day’ with the character 土 (do or tsuchi) meaning earth or soil. However, in ancient Chinese, the word doyoubi is interpreted as earth star. This is associated with Saturn, which has a color resembling soil. 

7. Sunday: 日曜日 (Nichiyoubi) 

日曜日 (nichiyoubi) means the same as its English name, ‘sun day’. The character, 日 (nichi, hi, or bi), means‘sun’. In Japan, nichiyoubi actually has roots with the sun goddess, Amataresu, from the Japanese folk religion Shinto.

Key vocabulary related to days of the week in Japanese

Now that we know how to say the weekdays, how do we express week durations and sequences of events? There will be times when you will need to specify a certain time in week durations such as “this week”, “a week ago”, or “in two weeks”. What are they?

The word for week in Japanese is 週 (shuu), which is hardly used alone and often attached to other words to express week durations or sequences in different situations. 

Before we dive into some key vocabulary, let’s discuss the grammar you need to know.

Saying week durations in Japanese 

If you understand numbers and counting in Japanese, counting weeks will be relatively straightforward, since it works the same way. You just need to add a number to 週 (shuu) and 間 (kan) to transform the expression for counting the number of weeks, such as one week or two weeks.

The structure for counting week durations is as follows: 

Number + 週間 (shuukan)

Here is a table for counting the durations of weeks from 1 to 10:

Note that ichi (1) conjugates into isshuu kan and not ichishuu kan. You might also notice that 7 weeks is pronounced nanashuukan. This is called rendaku (sequential voicing) or consonant changes due to euphonic reasons.

Expressing weekdays and weekends

Most Japanese public services and businesses will have different hours depending on whether it’s a weekday or a weekend. When asking the staff, on a bus timetable, or board with operating hours, these are the terms that are generally used:

Key vocabulary for day-related timeframes and frequencies

How can you express weeks in relative time sequences (past, present, and future)? There will be times when you will need to specify this week or next week when scheduling. Here is some key vocabulary to remember:

Tie everything together to schedule or make a reservation by not only specifying the week but also the time with our guide on how to tell time in Japanese.

Using them in sentences

We’ve learned the basic days of the week in Japanese, from Monday to Sunday, along with related vocabulary. But in real life, you won’t just say the day names alone—you’ll need to use them in sentences, such as when asking questions, making plans, or giving answers.

Let’s take a look at some common phrases using the days of the week.

Talking about the days or week in Japanese

今日は火曜日です。
Kyou wa kayoubi desu.
Today is Tuesday.

明日は水曜日です。
Ashita wa suiyoubi desu.
Tomorrow is Wednesday. 

来週の月曜日は祝日です。
Raishuu no nichiyoubi wa shukujitsu desu.

平日は仕事がある。
Heijitsu wa shigoto ga aru.
I have work on the weekdays.

Asking about the day or week in Japanese

週末、予定がありますか。
Shuumatsu, yotei ga arimasu ka.
Do you have plans on the weekend?

明日は何曜日ですか。
Ashita wa nanyoubi desu ka.
What day is tomorrow?

昨日、何をしていましたか。
Kinou, nani o shite imashita ka.
What were you doing yesterday?

Conclusion: Wrapping Up The Week

Mastering the days of the week in Japanese is more than just memorizing vocabulary. It’s a key skill for daily communication, planning, and understanding Japanese culture. 

Of course, being able to schedule and make reservations in Japan takes practice. If you want to speak Japanese fluently, consider starting at a top language school like Coto Academy. At Coto, you’ll gradually ease into both the Japanese language and culture, learning real Japanese as it’s spoken in everyday life.

You can choose from part-time or intensive courses across our four campuses in Tokyo and Yokohama, or join our interactive online lessons to learn from anywhere. Our small classes (only 8 students) ensure plenty of speaking practice and personalized attention.

Ready to start? Fill out the form below for a free level check or consultation to find the best learning path for you!

FAQ

Want to learn more basic Japanese? Read our guide on:

• 100 Basic Japanese Words to Know
• Complete Basic Japanese Phrases to Know
• Guide to Japanese Writing System: Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji

Being able to tell time in Japanese is a survival skill, especially if you’re living in or visiting the country.

How else can you catch a train, book a meeting, or talk about your daily routine? Understanding how to tell time in Japanese is essential for navigating schedules in Japan. As we know, in Japan, punctuality is key, so minutes — and even seconds — matter. It could be the difference between coming home and missing the last train. 

Luckily, you’re in the right place. This guide will teach you everything you need to know: how to ask for the time, tell time accurately, describe durations, and use time expressions naturally in conversation. Let’s dive in and master the art of telling time in Japanese and never miss a moment!

The basics of telling time in Japanese

We wanted to preface this by saying that you should first learn how to say numbers in Japanese. After all, time is built on numbers, no matter the language. 

The good news is that telling the time in Japan uses a simple Japanese counter or measure of units. You can either tell time using the 24-hour clock or a 12-hour clock that includes 午前 (ごぜん) gozen, and pm, 午後(ごご) gogo. 

To say the time in Japanese, you combine numbers with specific counters — a common pattern in the language. Here is how you can conjugate numbers into hours and minutes for time:

Basic time structure

The basic time structure in Japanese is very similar to English: you say the hour first, followed by the minute. Unlike some languages, Japanese does not reverse this order, so it’s always hour, then minute.

For hours, simply add 時(じ) ji at the end after the number. For example, to say 10 o’clock, simply say:

10時
じゅうじ
juuji

Of course, in this case, some people might find it vague if you are talking about 10 o’clock in the morning or at night. If you are following a 12-hour format, you can always include the word 午前 (ごぜん) gozen, and pm, 午後(ごご) gogo. 

For minutes, you just need to add the word fun or pun (分).  If you are following the 12-hour format, you will add the 午前 (ごぜん) gozen, and pm, 午後(ごご) gogo first. For example, to say 10:15 am in Japanese, you say the hour first, then the minutes:

午前10時15分
ごぜん じゅうじ じゅうごふん
gozen juuji juugofun

This breaks down as:

• 午前 (ごぜん・gozen) = AM
• 10時 (じゅうじ・juuji) = 10 o’clock
• 15分 (じゅうごふん・juugofun) = 15 minutes

Hours, minutes, and time in Japanese

Japanese hours chart

When learning to tell time in Japanese, one of the first things you’ll need to master is how the hours are pronounced. Unlike English, some hours have unique or irregular pronunciations that don’t follow the usual number reading. For example, 4 o’clock isn’t yonji but yoji, and 7 o’clock is shichiji instead of nanaji.

To help you get comfortable with these differences, an hour chart is a great tool. It shows you the correct way to say each hour, so you can avoid common mistakes and speak more naturally. Once you’re familiar with the hour chart, telling time in Japanese will become much easier and more intuitive.

When speaking, both 12-hour and 24-hour formats are used depending on the context, but the 24-hour clock is very common in written schedules and formal settings. Remember that if you use the 24-hour clock, you should not use the 

Using the 24-hour format can help avoid confusion about AM and PM times, especially when catching trains or flights. 

Here’s a table showing Japanese hours in the 24-hour format:

Tips: After-hours time in Japan

In standard timekeeping, hours only go up to 24 (midnight). However, in some contexts like TV schedules, nightlife, or bars, you might see times listed as 25時 or 26時 to mean 1 AM or 2 AM the next day. This helps avoid confusion by extending the “day” past midnight without switching the date.

For example, you might see the “closing” hours of a night bar in Tokyo as below:

• 25時 = 1 am (next day)
• 26時 = 2 am (next day)

This means the bar closes at 1 or 2 AM, but it’s still considered part of the previous day’s schedule.

Reminder:

When using the 24-hour time format in Japanese, you do not use 午前 (ごぜん, gozen) or 午後 (ごご, gogo). Instead, simply state the hour followed by 時 (じ, ji). For example, 15:00 is said as 15時 (じゅうごじ, juugoji) — “15 o’clock.” This format is commonly used for schedules like train timetables and official announcements.

Japanese minute chart

To say minutes in Japanese, you simply add the counter 分 (fun or pun) after the number. However, the pronunciation changes depending on the number you use. For example, 1 minute is pronounced いっぷん (ippun), while 2 minutes is にふん (nifun). When saying 10 minutes, the pronunciation changes to じゅっぷん (juppun), and this pun sound pattern also applies to other multiples of ten, like 20, 30, 40, and 50 minutes.

To better understand, please refer to the Japanese minute chart below:

The shift between fun and pun comes from a phonetic phenomenon called rendaku, where a sound becomes voiced (or changes) when repeated or combined with certain words. It’s a bit complex, so this isn’t the place to dive deep (for that, check out our guide on Japanese long vowels and double consonants). 

The conjugation may seem confusing at first, but you will soon develop an instinct for what sounds right. For now, try to remember the following numbers have the pun pronunciation:

• 1 minute: 一分 (ippun)
• 3 minutes: 三分 (sanpun)
• 6 minutes: 六分 (roppun)
• 8 minutes: 八分 (happun)
• 10 minutes: 十分 (juppun)

For now, just know that sometimes 分 is pronounced fun and sometimes pun, depending on the number it follows. 

Japanese seconds chart

It’s pretty rare to need to tell the exact time, including seconds, in everyday Japanese. However, knowing how to use seconds (秒・びょう・byou) can be useful when you’re using it as a counter — for example, when heating food for 30 seconds or seeing a countdown with 10 seconds left. Understanding this helps you talk about short durations clearly and naturally.

Putting it all together

Now that we have learned each element of time in Japanese, let’s put it all together! 

The good news is that in most public places in Japan, time is usually displayed using familiar Arabic numerals. However, when speaking or listening to time expressed in Japanese, it’s still important to know how to say it properly. 

At first, telling time in Japanese can feel overwhelming — even like a tongue twister! The best way to get comfortable is to practice regularly. Try picking random times throughout the day and quickly say them out loud in Japanese as much as possible. With practice, it will soon feel natural and easy.

Phrases for asking the time in Japanese

How do you ask someone for the time? Or find out when the next train is departing? In Japan, telling time isn’t just about stating the hour. You also need to know how to ask the right questions and understand the answers

Here are some useful phrases for asking about the time in Japanese to help ensure you don’t miss your train or your important meeting.

1. 何時ですか?

なんじですか？
Nanjidesuka
What time is it?

2. 次の電車は何時ですか？
tsugi no densha wa nanjidesuka?
When is the next train?

3. 何時に集合ですか？
nanji ni shuugou desuka?
What time do we meet up?

Here is another handy list of time-related statements and answers you can use to answer these questions.

Don’t forget that learning the dates is just as important as telling time. Read our guide to learn everything you need to know about days and months in Japanese!

Other ways to tell time in Japanese

Sometimes it’s a bit of a mouthful to say the time in Japanese. So, just like in English, there are useful and simpler ways to tell the time. Something like 12:30 — juuniji sanjuuppun — might be a lot to say in Japanese. 

While Japanese doesn’t use expressions like “quarter past” or “quarter to,” there is a simple and common way to say “half past” the hour! Instead of saying 30 minutes, you can use 半 (はん, han), which means “half.”

For example:

12時半
Juuniji han
Half past 12

You can also express minutes before an hour by adding 前 (まえ, mae), which means “before,” after the minutes counter 分 (ふん, fun/pun). This creates the pattern 〜分前 (〜fun mae), meaning “~ minutes until” the hour.

For example, 6時5分前 (rokuji gofun mae) means “5 minutes before 6,” or “5 minutes till 6.”

6時5分前
Rokuji gofunmae
5 minutes before 6

While Japanese doesn’t have a specific expression for “quarter till,” you can simply say 15 minutes before using the same pattern:

6時15分前
Rokuji juugofun mae
15 minutes (quarter) till 6 

Describing time durations

Now that you know how to tell the time, how do you talk about durations — like how long you sleep or how long it takes to get to work?

When 時 (じ, ji) is attached to a number, it refers to the hour on the clock. But the word 時間 (じかん, jikan) means “time” in the sense of a duration or length of time. For example, if you want to ask, “Do you have time today?” you would use 時間 (jikan):

今日時間はありますか?
Kyou jikan wa arimasuka.
Do you have the time today?

You can use jikan to describe a time duration as well. If you want to say you study for 3 hours, you would say:

3時間勉強します
Sanjikan benkyou shimasu
I will study for 3 hours. 

To describe the duration in minutes, it is the same as telling the time. You don’t need to add 間 (kan), for minutes; you just need to use the minute counter, like 5分 (gofun). If you want to say you walk 20 minutes to get to school, you can say:

20分学校に歩きます
Nijuupun gakkou ni arukimasu.
I walk to school in 20 minutes. 

Here’s a clear and useful table of common Japanese expressions for time duration, including kanji, kana, romaji, and English meanings:

Check out some more example sentences below!

ここから駅まで30分かかります。
Koko kara eki made sanjuuppun kakarimasu.

It takes 30 minutes from here to the station.

映画は2時間半でした。
Eiga wa nijikan han deshita.

The movie was two and a half hours long.

5分待ってください。
Gofunkan matte kudasai.
Please wait for 5 minutes

Saying “from” and “until” in Japanese

To describe when something starts and ends in Japanese, you can use 〜から (~kara) meaning “from,” and 〜まで (~made) meaning “until.” When making plans or scheduling events, these expressions help you clearly state the exact time an activity begins and finishes.

For example, to say “The meeting is from 2 pm to 4 pm,” you would say:

会議は午後2時から午後4時までです。
Kaigi wa gogo niji kara gogo yoji made desu.
This meeting is from 2 pm to 4 pm. 

Check out some more example sentences below!

9時から5時まで働いています。
Kuji kara goji made hataraiteimasu.
I work from 9 to 5.

授業は10時から11時半までです。
Jugyou wa jyuuji kara jyuuichiji han made desu.
The class is from 10:00 to 11:30.

パーティーは6時からです。
Paatii wa rokuji kara desu.
The party starts at 6 o’clock.

Common time frequency expressions

Here are some useful time expressions to describe frequency — how often something happens, like how many times you eat or how many nights you practice basketball. The table below introduces key vocabulary that will help you talk about how often events occur in Japanese.

毎日ご飯を食べます。
Mainichi gohan o tabemasu.
I eat rice every day.

時々公園へ散歩に行きます。
Tokidoki kouen e sanpo ni ikimasu
Sometimes I go on walks to the park.

ステーキは一番好きな肉なので、よく食べます
Suteeki ha ichiban sukina nikunanode, yoke tabemasu.
I often eat steak since it’s my favorite meat.

For more basic vocabulary to increase your repertoire, check out the blog: Top 100 Basic Japanese Words

Time to wrap up!

Telling time in Japanese is a vital part of daily communication. With a few simple rules and key expressions, you’ll be able to confidently read clocks, schedule plans, and talk about time just like a native speaker.

To get more practice around practical everyday Japanese, such as telling the time, why not join fun, flexible lessons at Coto Academy! We offer both offline and online Japanese part-time and Japanese intensive lessons to help you speak confidently and smoothly!

Fill out the form below for a free level check and consultation

FAQ

Love our content? You might be interested in:

• Free Hiragana Chart PDF Download
• Free Katakana Chart PDF Download
• Basic Japanese Phrases to Know

Japanese is considered to be one of the hardest languages to learn in the world. Studies have shown that on average, it takes about 2,200 classroom hours to learn Japanese on a proficient level, which is equivalent to 88 consecutive weeks. That being said, it remains one of the most fascinating and beautiful languages to learn as well. 

So, if you have ever caught yourself thinking, “Why is Japanese so hard to learn?” you are not alone. This article breaks down the main reasons why the Japanese language may feel difficult and shares encouragement as well as practical tips to help you power through. Whether you are just starting or stuck mid-way, here is what makes Japanese so tough — but why it is still absolutely worth learning.

Is Japanese really a hard language to learn?

Yes, Japanese is considered a hard language to learn, but only if your native language is vastly different from Japanese. The Foreign Service Institute (FSI), which focuses on teaching languages and cultures to US diplomats and government officials, has a system that ranks languages based on how difficult they are to learn. FSI classified Japanese as a “Super-hard language.” 

But you should take this with a grain of salt: FSI ranks languages based on how long native English speakers learn them. If you speak languages like Spanish, French, and Italian, among others that are in the same language family as English, the study hours are probably close to that.

This has numerous reasons, one of the biggest ones being that English and Japanese have very few words with a common etymological origin. 

On the other hand, those who speak Chinese or Korean, or languages that come from similar roots to Japanese, can learn Japanese more quickly.

This is not to be mistaken that the Chinese and Korean languages originate from Japan. In fact, it’s Japanese and Korean that borrow words from the Chinese language. 50% of Japanese words come from Chinese. 

Let’s compare “university” in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese.

The Japanese, Chinese, and Korean words for university are not exactly the same, but there is a close phonetic resemblance between the three words. For reference, it takes 3,900 hours to study JLPT N1 without kanji knowledge. For students with kanji knowledge, it takes 2,150 hours of JLPT study to pass — almost half the time!

Reasons why learning Japanese is hard 

1. Complex writing systems

The Japanese language is made up of 3 different writing systems. The hiragana, katakana, and kanji system all have their own characters and complexities, but are very necessary when learning the language. 

Hiragana 

Hiragana is usually the first writing system that you will encounter on your learning journey. In this system, the symbols represent whole syllables rather than individual sounds or words. In Japanese, words are made up of a combination of syllables, thus taking away the need for singular letter symbols. This system is the most traditional and dates back to the 9^th century. 

Katakana 

Katakana is very similar to hiragana when it comes to word formation. Once again, the symbols are meant to represent syllables; this system was mainly adopted in order to introduce syllables and sounds that were not originally part of the Japanese language. Most of the Katana symbols are inspired by those of the Hiragana system, making it easier to decipher. 

Kanji

Kanji is usually the last system taught throughout the learning curve of the language, as it is the one with the most complexity. The symbols used were originally Chinese characters and made up the first writing system in Japan. Both hiragana and katakana are evolutions of this writing system. Rather than representing syllables and sounds, these symbols are meant to represent complete words or ideas on their own, meaning that there are approximately 50,000 kanji symbols to learn before fully mastering this system. 

Read More: Hardest Kanji to Learn

2. Grammar Differences from English

Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) Order

One of the first things English speakers notice while learning Japanese is the change in sentence structure. While the English language typically follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order — for example, “I eat sushi” — the Japanese language uses a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) pattern. 

So, the same sentence we previously saw in English becomes: Watashi wa sushi o tabemasu, meaning “I sushi eat” in Japanese. This reversal often surprises learners and requires a shift in thinking. Adjusting to this word order takes time, but it is a fundamental part of mastering Japanese grammar.

Let’s try to translate a Japanese sentence literally, based on its word order.

Confusing, right? With time, you’ll get used to the sentence structure, but you might need time to adjust to it when translating whatever Japanese sentence you hear or see into your native language. 

The Japanese language often omits the subject in a sentence if it is already clear from the context, which can lead to ambiguity and confusion for English speakers who are used to always including a subject.

私は公園へ行きます。
Watashi wa kouen e ikimasu.
I am going to the park.

Imagine that you are leaving the house, and your mom asks you where you are going. In this case, it’s obvious that your answer indicates yourself, and no one else. A correct sentence often does not require a subject in Japanese, since the subject is usually implied in the context of the conversation.

園へ行きます
kouen e ikimasu.
(I am) going to the park!

Japanese particles

In Japanese, small words called particles play a huge role in showing how each part of a sentence functions. These particles indicate the subject, object, direction, or even topic of a sentence. Because they carry so much meaning in such a small form, even tiny mistakes with particles can lead to big misunderstandings. Learning to use them correctly is a crucial step in becoming comfortable with Japanese.

Examples:

• Wa: indicates the topic of a sentence
• Ga: marks the subject of the sentence
• Ni: indicates a point in time or direction
• De: indicates the location of an action
• Wo: marks the direct object of a verb

Verb conjugations and politeness

Japanese verbs change not only based on tense but also depending on the level of formality. There are multiple ways to say the same action depending on whether you are speaking casually with friends, politely to a stranger, or respectfully to someone of higher status. This can feel overwhelming at first, but it is all part of Japan’s nuanced communication style. A helpful tip for beginners is to start with the masu-form, which is the standard polite form, and gradually expand to casual or honorific forms later.

3. Politeness Levels and honorific language

Japanese is deeply rooted in social hierarchy, and the way you speak changes drastically depending on who you are talking to. This aspect of the language, also known as keigo (honorific speech), is divided into three main categories: teineigo (polite speech), sonkeigo (respectful speech), and kenjougo (humble speech). These are not just vocabulary swaps; they involve changes in verb conjugation, word choice, and even tone. Navigating these levels of formality is essential for effective and respectful communication in Japanese society. 

Quick Tip: Do not feel pressured to master all forms of keigo at once. Focus first on polite speech (teineigo), and then gradually learn the reasoning behind honorific and humble expressions. 

Read more about Japanese honorifics here.

4. Different pronunciation and pitch accents 

At first glance, Japanese pronunciation seems relatively straightforward since there are fewer sounds compared to many other languages, and most syllables stay consistent. But the real challenge lies in pitch accent. Unlike English, which relies mostly on word stress, Japanese uses pitch to differentiate words that otherwise would sound identical. 

For example, hashi can mean “bridge” (橋) with a high-low pitch pattern or “chopsticks” (箸) with a low-high pitch. These subtle differences are not always highlighted in textbooks but can lead to confusion if they are not understood. 

Quick Tip: The best way to internalize pitch accent is simply by listening to native speakers and shadowing real conversations. 

Read more about Japanese long vowels and double consonants.

5. Cultural context embedded in language

Language and culture are closely intertwined, and this is especially true in the Japanese language. Directness is often avoided; people rarely say “no” outright. Instead, soft refusals such as “chotto…” (meaning “a little…”) are used to politely decline in Japanese while avoiding all confrontation. Japanese also relies heavily on context, so what is left unsaid can be just as important as what is spoken. This means learning Japanese is not just about memorizing vocabulary or grammar rules, but also about understanding the social cues and unspoken norms that guide communication skills in Japanese. 

Quick Tip: To get a feel for these small changes, it can be really helpful to immerse yourself in Japanese media. For example, watching TV shows, anime, or dramas with subtitles helps you pick up on tone, timing, as well as the cultural nuances behind everyday language.

6. Learning and practice challenges

1. You cannot “Cram” Japanese

Unlike some fields that respond well to last-minute studying, Japanese is not one you can cram. Mastery in this skill comes from consistent, steady effort over time. This is especially true for memorizing kanji symbols and vocabulary, as they require daily review to truly stick. 

Speaking practice with native speakers is just as important, not only for fluency, but for building confidence and a natural rhythm. Keep in mind that setbacks are to be expected; they are a normal part of learning this language. The key is patience and persistence. Progress may feel slower at times, but with regular practice, it can build up in really powerful ways.

2. Not Enough Immersion

Unless you live in Japan or attend an immersive school such as Coto Academy, finding chances to practice Japanese in real-world situations can be really tough. Classroom Japanese often focuses on polite, structured language rather than real-life speech, which is full of slang, casual phrasing, and nuances. What may sound natural in a textbook might come off as overly formal in a regular conversation. 

Reading also presents its own unique challenges. For example, Japanese does not use spaces between words, which makes it tricky to separate and understand phrases at a glance. And then there are also loanwords that are borrowed from English but used in ways that can be confusing. 

Quick Tip: To bridge the gap between the textbook and natural Japanese, it is helpful to immerse yourself in level-appropriate content such as NHK News Easy, manga, or graded readers. And in order to keep your speaking skills sharp, you can try online conversation lessons or join a Japanese-speaking community.

Ready to overcome the challenges of learning Japanese?

Join Coto Academy today and turn your Japanese learning challenges into achievements! At Coto Academy, we understand that Japanese can be tough, but with the right guidance, it becomes an exciting and rewarding journey. Our experienced teachers provide personalized lessons tailored to your level and goals, helping you master everything from kanji to conversation, honorifics to pitch accent.

Fill out the form below for a free Japanese level check and consultation!

FAQ

Once you’ve turned your name into a Japanese version, you might start thinking about what kind of cool Japanese nickname you can use. In Japan, nicknames go beyond simple shortened versions of names. They are sweet, playful names to express the closeness of your relationship. Whether it is a couple calling each other by pet names, siblings teasing each other, or friends bonding over shared quirks, nicknames are a unique part of everyday life in Japan.

While formal Japanese names are used in settings such as school and work, it is common to switch to cute or affectionate nicknames in casual relationships. Want to start Japanese nicknames for yourself or your friends? Check out our guide and learn how to use them! 

Understanding Japanese Names: Nicknames vs Japanese Suffixes

We want to ensure there’s no confusion between Japanese nicknames and Japanese suffixes. While they may sometimes overlap, they serve different purposes.

Japanese honorifics like -chan or -kun are primarily used to indicate social relationships or levels of familiarity. For instance, -chan is often used as a term of endearment for someone younger, close, or considered cute. If someone’s name is Mako, you might affectionately call them Mako-chan. But honorifics are not nicknames in the traditional sense. Their main function is to express social nuance rather than to create a playful or affectionate variation of a name.

In contrast, nicknames in Japanese often involve modifying the actual name. You can do this by shortening it, altering its sounds, or adding creative endings. Japanese nicknames for girls often use cute, soft-sounding suffixes. Japanese nicknames for guys are usually more casual or cool, depending on the relationship.

What makes a nickname considered cute in Japan? It most often comes down to the use of affectionate suffixes, creative wordplay, as well as a sense of closeness.

Common Nickname Suffixes

Adding suffixes to names is a popular way to create nicknames that feel friendly and affectionate. Let’s explore some of the most common Japanese nickname suffixes and how they’re used.

1. 〜ちゃん (-chan)

A very common and cute suffix for girls, younger kids, pets, and close friends. It is meant to soften a name and add affection.
Example: Momo → Momo-chan

2. 〜くん (-kun)

Typically used for boys, especially among classmates and coworkers. It is casual but respectful.
Example: Taro → Taro-kun

3. 〜たん (-tan)

An even cuter, more babyish variation of -chan, it is often used jokingly or to express strong affection. The suffix -tan began in otaku internet culture, used for anime characters.
Example: Risa → Risa-tan

These name endings allow people to express warmth and are a big part of what makes a Japanese nickname feel kawaii (cute)!

4. ～ちん (-chin)

The suffix -chin (～ちん) in Japanese is a very informal, affectionate, and often playful way of addressing someone, similar to -chan (～ちゃん) but even more cutesy or intimate.

Chin is not commonly used in most social or professional settings. Using it with someone you’re not close to could sound overly familiar or even awkward. It’s mostly seen among younger people or in specific subcultures like idol fandoms or otaku culture.

How to create a Japanese Nickname

Of course, similar to English, Japanese nickname creativity goes far beyond the basic patterns! Nicknames in Japanese often come from shortening names, adding suffixes, or even playful mispronunciations. Below are a few ways to create one:

1. Shorten the name

This is the simplest first step of creating a nickname. Much like “Jennifer” becomes “Jen” in English, many Japanese names can be shortened in a casual context.

This sound contraction makes nicknames smoother and often cuter in casual speech. Take a look at some examples below!

2. Add a cute Japanese suffix

Once a name is shortened, it’s time to add a playful or affectionate touch. This is where the cute Japanese suffixes we just discussed come in handy!

If the last syllable of the name or the nickname base ends in “chi” (ち) or “tsu” (つ), something special happens. Instead of just adding “-chan,” Japanese speakers often contract or collapse the sounds, using what’s called a sokuon (促音) — a small “tsu” (っ) that doubles the following consonant.

Take the name Katsuki as an example. First, we shorten it to Katsu. When we add the cute suffix “-chan,” it would normally be “Katsu-chan.” But because the name ends with the sound “tsu,” the words blend together and change to “Katchan” or “Kacchan.” This makes the “t” sound stronger and the nickname sounds shorter and cuter.

Similarly, with a surname like Uchimura, the nickname base “Uchi” plus “-chan” normally becomes “Uchi-chan.” However, the “chi + chan” merges into a contracted form like “Utchan” or “Ucchan,” where the consonant sound doubles. 

For names that don’t end with “chi” or “tsu,” adding “-chan” is straightforward and doesn’t change the name much. For example, Shouto becomes Shou-chan, and Takumi becomes Taku-chan (sometimes people also say Takkun, using a different cute suffix “-kun”). For Takashi, people usually just use the full name, but sometimes say Taka-chan.

Examples:

3. Get even more creative with nickname endings

Of course, the more naturally you speak Japanese, the more you’ll notice that nicknames don’t have to follow a fixed pattern or use the same suffix every time! In fact, many Japanese nicknames use a variety of cute, playful-sounding endings to give them a more personal and affectionate feel.

Some people may take it a step further by making their nicknames unique or personalized.

Examples:

Some nicknames do not necessarily follow any rules; they might come from a person’s favorite food, personality trait, or even how they laugh. That is part of the fun!

4. Combine the Japanese surname and given name

An optional step, one of the most unique nickname styles in Japan, is combining parts of both the family name and the given name to create a catchy nickname. This is quite rare in Western cultures, but quite common in Japan. 

For example, the famous actor Kimura Takuya is affectionately called “Kimu-Taku” by fans. (Remember, in Japanese, the family name comes first.) Similarly, many men named Kato Kenji or Kato Kenichi often go by “Kato-Ken” because it sounds smooth and natural in Japanese.

This combining method only works if the resulting nickname sounds good and flows well in Japanese, which is why not every name can be shortened this way.

Cute Japanese Nicknames

Now that the rules have been explained, here are some examples of commonly used but cool nicknames in Japan:

1. A-chan: A common nickname for anyone whose name starts with “A,” such as Ayaka or Airi.
2. Yuki-pi: A trendy, girly nickname variation often used by teens.
3. Kazu-kun: A classic male nickname for boys named Kazuki, Kazuo, etc.
4. Mii-chan: A name essentially used for girls named Miho, Mika, or Miharu.
5. Tomo-tan: A super-cute nickname twist for Tomoko or Tomoya.

These nicknames are heard in classrooms, on social media, and even in various anime!

Not all Japanese nicknames are cute, some are short, stylish, and just plain cool. These types of nicknames are especially popular among teens, young adults, or in pop culture and celebrity circles. They often rely on abbreviations, stylish blends, or nicknames that give off a confident or laid-back vibe.

Some cool nicknames, often used for guys, incude:

• Taku (from Takuya)
• Hiro (from Hiroshi, Hiroki)
• Yuki (from Yukihiro, Yukiko)
• Aki (from Akira, Akiyama)
• Ryo (from Ryosuke)

Cute Japanese Nicknames for Couples

Among couples in Japan, the nicknames they use for each other often combine Western-style terms of endearment with a uniquely Japanese sense of cuteness. Check out some of the cool Japanese nicknames for boyfriends or girlriends, or general terms of endearment to show affection for couples.

1. あなた (Anata)

Technically, anata means “you” in Japanese, but if you watch anime or read Japanese dramas, you’ll often notice that spouses, especially wives, call their significant others anata.

Why is that? In Japanese culture, it’s less common to use someone’s first name directly, even in close or intimate relationships. Instead, married women often use anata to address their husbands.

This way of speaking feels gentle, respectful, and affectionate, especially when said softly or lovingly.

あなた、ごはんできたわよ。
Anata, gohan dekita wa yo.
Darling, dinner’s ready.

2. ダーリン (Daarin)

This nickname is taken directly from the English nickname “Darling.” This is a romantic nickname for boyfriends or husbands. It is a little playful and retro.

3. ハニー (Hanii)

This nickname means “Honey” in katakana. This nickname is often used by couples aiming to sound sweet and flirty.

4. 〜くん / ちゃん (kun or chan)

Many couples just use a cute version of their partner’s first name. Kenta becomes Ken-kun. Ayumi becomes Ayu-chan

5. 〜りん:

The “〜りん” pattern involves repeating the ending syllable of a name and adding “りん”, turning ordinary names into sweet nicknames. By adding “りん”, the name sounds more playful and affectionate, giving it a cute, bubbly vibe.

Examples:

• Mari → Maririn (まりりん)
• Yuri → Yuririn (ゆりりん)
• Rin → Rinrin (りんりん)

Cute Japanese Nicknames for Family

Japanese families also have their own nickname traditions. Children often use affectionate and hierarchical titles for their siblings and parents.

1. おにいちゃん (Onii-chan): This nickname means “Big brother,” and is usually used by younger siblings. This nickname may also be shortened to にいに (Nii-nii).

2. あねちゃん (Ane-chan): This nickname means “Big sister,” although it is less common than onee-chan, it is still used in casual, childlike speech.

3. じいじ (Jiiji) / ばあば (Baaba): These are cute names for grandpa and grandma; they are the most similar to “Gramps” and “Nana” in English.

4. かーくん (otou-san) / まーちゃん (okaa-san): These names are the shortened versions of “Dad” and “Mom” using parts of their names or nicknames within the family.

Some regional differences exist, too. For example, in Okinawa, siblings may call each other by different terms like アニキ (aniki) for big brother, which carries more respect or toughness.

Tips for Creating Japanese-Style Nicknames from Western Names

If you have a Western name and want to create a cute or natural-sounding Japanese nickname, you might have to convert your name into katakana. The rest of the nickname creation follows the same rule, but here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Use Katakana Sounds: Write your name in Japanese katakana first to understand how it sounds in Japanese. For example, “Michael” becomes “Maikeru (マイケル).” This helps when shortening or adding suffixes.
2. Shorten Your Name Naturally: Japanese nicknames often shorten names by cutting off syllables. From “Maikeru,” you could get “Mai-chan” or “Maiku.” Try to keep the nickname easy to pronounce in Japanese.
3. Add Familiar Suffixes: Adding “-chan” (cute/friendly), “-kun” (for boys or casual), or “-san” (polite) can make your nickname feel more natural. For example, “Mai-chan” or “Mike-kun.”
4. Blend Name Parts if Possible: If your name has two parts (like a first and middle name), you can combine parts to make a catchy nickname, similar to the Japanese style. For example, “John Paul” might become “Jo-Pa.”
5. Keep It Simple and Sweet: Japanese nicknames usually avoid complicated sounds and try to keep things easy to say, short, and cute.

Conclusion: Learn to Make Japanese Nicknames with Coto Academy!

In Japanese culture, nicknames are more than just fun; they are a great way to connect with others on a deeper level. Whether you are making new friends, getting closer with a partner, or even bonding with family, experimenting with cute nicknames adds playfulness and affection to your conversations.

Next time you are talking to a Japanese friend, try a nickname! You might just earn one in return.

Want to learn more about casual Japanese for daily life? Learn how to make your own nickname in Japanese by taking practical Japanese lessons at Coto Academy. 

FAQ

Want to get more fun Japanese learning content? You might be interested in:

• Mistakes Japanese Learners Often Make
• Guide to Using Sou, Rashii and Poi in Japanese
• Free Hiragana Chart for Learning Japanese