How to Say ‘Today (polite/formal)’ in Japanese
本日は
honjitsu wa
[hone-jeet-soo wah]
💬 Usage Tip: [本日] is a formal "today" used in business. It often sets up polite phrases like [本日はありがとうございます] or [本日はよろしくお願いします].
🇯🇵 In Japan: In interviews and customer service, opening with [本日は〜] signals formality and respect—more polished than casual [今日].
Phrase Breakdown
本日
honjitsu
[hone-jeet-soo]
today (formal)
A polite/formal word for “today,” commonly used in business settings and speeches.
本日はお忙しいところありがとうございます。
Thank you for your time today despite being busy.
は
wa
[wah]
topic marker; as for
A particle that marks the topic of the sentence. In greetings, it often sets the scene: “As for today, …”.
本日は面接の機会をいただき、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for giving me the opportunity for the interview today.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager