Translation guide
The English word 'daily' can be an adjective, adverb, or noun. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 毎日 (mainichi) for 'every day', but other expressions like 日常の (nichijou no) for 'everyday/ordinary' and 日刊 (nikkan) for 'daily publication' are used depending on context.
Expressing that something happens each day or on a daily basis.
The most common and neutral way to say 'every day'. Can be used in most contexts.
I go jogging daily.
A slightly more literary or formal way to say 'daily' or 'day by day'. Often used in writing or set phrases.
Means 'almost every day' or 'on a daily basis', implying frequency but not necessarily literally every single day.
He is late almost daily.
Describing something that is part of normal daily life, routine, or commonplace.
The standard adjective meaning 'daily' in the sense of 'everyday life' or 'routine'. Used with nouns.
Referring to something published or occurring every day, like a newspaper.
Using 'daily' as a noun, e.g., 'the daily' meaning the newspaper, or 'a daily' meaning a domestic helper.
Japanese does not use 'daily' as a noun in the same way. Instead, specify the thing: 日刊紙 (daily newspaper), 日雇い (daily worker), etc.
Used in instructions or medical prescriptions, e.g., 'take daily'.
Means 'once a day', commonly used in medical or instructional contexts.
毎日 (mainichi) means 'every day', not 'ordinary' or 'everyday'. To say 'daily life' or 'daily routine', use 日常 (nichijou) or 日々 (hibi). Saying 毎日の生活 is possible but less natural than 日常生活.
words used in daily life
毎日 is the default for 'every day'. 日々 is more literary and often used in expressions like 日々の努力 (daily effort) or 日々成長する (grow day by day). It emphasizes the passage of days.
Doing the same thing daily is boring.
Daily effort is important.
I write about daily events in my diary.
I want to relieve daily stress.
Similar to 日常の but can feel slightly more poetic or emphatic about each day.
I'm caught up in daily life.
A na-adjective meaning 'everyday' or 'ordinary', often used to describe something as commonplace or routine.
That's a daily problem.
Prefix meaning 'daily publication'. Commonly used in newspaper names.
I subscribe to a daily newspaper.
Specifically a daily newspaper.
This daily has a large circulation.
She works as a daily (domestic helper).
Take this medicine once daily.
Literally 'take daily', used in medical contexts.
Daily intake is necessary.