今日

• Reading: きょう
• Romaji: kyou
• Kanji breakdown: 今 (kon/ima) — now; 日 (nichi/hi) — day, sun
• Pronunciation: /kjoː/

Meaning

Today; this day. Refers to the current calendar day.

Read as きょう in everyday speech (the formal reading こんにち appears in こんにちは, 'hello'). One of the first time words learners encounter. Used constantly in greetings, scheduling, and conversation. Often paired with は (wa) as 今日は to set the topic: 今日は暑いですね (It's hot today, isn't it).

Examples

1. 今日は天気がいいですね。 The weather is nice today, isn't it?
2. 今日の晩ご飯はカレーです。 Tonight's dinner is curry.
3. 今日、学校を休みました。 I was absent from school today.

Usage Guide

Context: daily conversation, greetings, scheduling

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

A compound of 今 (now) and 日 (day). The reading きょう is a contraction of the older form けふ (kefu), which evolved through sound changes over centuries.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal