今夜

• Reading: こんや
• Romaji: konya
• Kanji breakdown: 今 (kon/ima) — now, this; 夜 (ya/yoru) — night, evening
• Pronunciation: /koɴ.ja/

Meaning

This evening; tonight. Refers to the nighttime of the current day.

A noun and adverb for the current evening or night. Interchangeable with 今晩 (konban) in most contexts, though 今夜 can feel slightly more literary or dramatic. 今晩は (konbanwa, good evening) uses 今晩, not 今夜. Common in planning conversations about evening activities.

Examples

1. 今夜は友達と映画を見に行きます。 Tonight I'm going to see a movie with my friends.
2. 今夜の天気予報では雨が降るそうです。 According to tonight's weather forecast, it's going to rain.
3. 今夜はゆっくり休んでください。 Please get some good rest tonight.

Usage Guide

Context: plans, weather, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Combines 今 (kon/ima, now/this) with 夜 (ya/yoru, night). The kanji 夜 depicts a person under a roof with the moon — nighttime at home.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal