Basic time: Time

💬 The kanji [今] means 'now' and [日] means 'day' — literally 'now day'.

🇯🇵 In Japan, people often use today ['今日'] to talk about events that are happening or have happened 'today'. This reflects a strong focus on the present.

💬 The kanji [明] means 'bright' and [日] means 'day' — a metaphor for the new, bright day ahead.

🇯🇵 Plan tomorrow well and you can look forward to it, just like how many Japanese people prepare Bento ahead for the next day.

💬 Combines [明日] 'tomorrow' with [後] meaning 'after'.

🇯🇵 Japanese culture often emphasizes planning, so words describing different future days are quite commonly used.

💬 The kanji [昨] and [日] together mean 'previous day'.

🇯🇵 Nostalgia for past events is strong in Japan; many traditional festivals commemorate historical events.

💬 Combines [時] meaning 'time' with ['間'] meaning 'interval', creating the meaning of 'hour'.

🇯🇵 Japanese people are very punctual and respect time; being aware of '時間' is crucial to not miss out on social activities.

💬 The character [分] means 'to divide', which is what minutes do, dividing an hour into parts.

🇯🇵 Watch out for the punctuality! In Japan, even minutes are significant in scheduling.

💬 The kanji [秒] represents the smallest normal unit of time measurement.

🇯🇵 When speaking Japanese about time, seconds aren't typically emphasized in casual conversation, reflecting a more relaxed view towards short durations.

💬 The kanji [夜] depicts a person under a roof, signifying rest after a day.

🇯🇵 Evenings in Japan are for relaxation and family time; it's common to enjoy a casual dinner out.

💬 Involves the kanji [朝], denoting a new beginning or start, like dawn bringing a new day.

🇯🇵 Mornings are important in Japanese customs, with practices like '朝ごはん' (asagohan) or breakfast being a time for family.