Now and nearby days
The anchor words for the present moment and the days on either side of it. Plans and catch-ups start here.
ima
now
今 いま
Places anything at the present moment, and builds ima kara (from now), ima made (until now) and ima sugu (right now).
ima doko?
Where are you right now?
今どこ？
ima doko desu ka?
Where are you right now?
今どこですか？
kyou
today
今日 きょう
Names the current day, and kyou wa makes it the topic for plans and small talk.
kyou wa yasumi?
Are you off today?
今日は休み？
kyou wa yasumi desu ka?
Are you off today?
今日は休みですか？
Shop and office staff say honjitsu. Recognise it, but you don't need to say it.
ashita
tomorrow
明日 あした
The default word for the next day, used in plans, deadlines and goodbyes (jaa ashita).
ashita wa yasumi da yo.
I'm off tomorrow.
明日は休みだよ。
ashita wa yasumi desu yo.
I'm off tomorrow.
明日は休みですよ。
Shop and office staff say myounichi, and asu is the news reading. Recognise both; ashita is fine in your own polite speech.
kinou
yesterday
昨日 きのう
Names the day before today. Pair it with past tense to report what happened.
kinou wa yasumi datta.
I was off yesterday.
昨日は休みだった。
kinou wa yasumi deshita.
I was off yesterday.
昨日は休みでした。
To tell kinou from kyou, listen for the 'no'. Shop and office staff say sakujitsu.