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.
It took three days.
旅行(りょこう)は五日間(いつかかん)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.
What day (date) is your birthday?
Salary is deposited on the 25th of every month.

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

COUNTING PATTERNS (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.

Watch out

Related words

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

Related Words