本日(ほんじつ)

本日(ほんじつ) is the formal equivalent of 今日(きょう). It is used in polite and official contexts where 今日(きょう) would sound too casual.

Usage

• Business emails and communications
• Store and restaurant announcements
• Formal speeches and ceremonies
• Written notices and signs

Common patterns

• 本日(ほんじつ)は〜: today ~ (opening a formal statement)
• 本日(ほんじつ)より: starting from today
• 本日(ほんじつ)限(かぎ)り: today only
• 本日(ほんじつ)休業(きゅうぎょう): closed today

Formality scale

• 今日(きょう): neutral/casual (everyday conversation)
• 本日(ほんじつ): formal (business, announcements, ceremonies)

Note: In spoken Japanese, using 本日(ほんじつ) in casual conversation sounds stiff and overly formal.