1.
first day, opening day
The first day of an event, performance run, tournament, or period. Often refers to the opening day of a show or competition.
Compound of 初 (first) + 日 (day). Commonly used for performances, tournaments, sales events, and similar multi-day occasions.
Common collocations
- 初日を迎える (to welcome opening day)
- 公演初日 (opening night of a show)
- 大会初日 (first day of a tournament)
- 初日から (from the very first day)
- 初日の出 (the first sunrise of the new year — read as はつひので)
Usage
Read はつひ, 初日 is a different word: the first sunrise of the year, as in 初日の出 (はつひので), a New Year custom. In the sense of "first day", the reading is always しょにち.