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How to Say ‘Yesterday’ in Japanese

きのう

kinou

[kee-noh]

💬 Usage Tip: Time word often used without particles in casual speech. With symptoms, it’s perfectly clear on its own.

🇯🇵 In Japan: When asked symptom timing, short answers like [きのう] are normal—no need for a full sentence.

Phrase Breakdown

きのう

kinou

[kee-noh]

yesterday

Time word often used when explaining symptoms: きのうから (since yesterday).

Example

きのうからおなかがいたいです。

My stomach has hurt since yesterday.

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