日(にち)

にち
counter
day (counter), date
time-generalnumber
1. counter for days
Counts the number of days. Used after a number to indicate a duration in days.
三(さん)日(にち)かかった。
It took three days.
旅行(りょこう)は五(いつ)日間(かかん)だった。
The trip was five days long.
〜日間(にちかん) is used for duration: 'for ~ days.'
2. date of the month
Indicates the day of the month when used after a number. Days 1 through 10 and the 20th have special native Japanese readings.
今日(きょう)は十五(じゅうご)日(にち)だ。
Today is the 15th.
誕生日(たんじょうび)は何(なん)日(にち)ですか。
What day (date) is your birthday?
給料(きゅうりょう)は毎月(まいつき)二十五(にじゅうご)日(にち)に振(ふ)り込(こ)まれる。
Salary is deposited on the 25th of every month.

日(にち) is the standard counter for days and dates.

COUNTING PATTERN (duration):

For 11 and above (except 14, 20, 24), use the on'yomi pattern: 十一日(じゅういちにち), 十五日(じゅうごにち), etc.

DATES VS. DURATION:

Related counters

  • 〜日間(にちかん): emphasizes duration (for ~ days)
  • 〜日目(にちめ): ordinal (the ~th day)

Related Words

Related: 日(ひ) (native reading)
general
Added 2026.2.22 15:48 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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