Translation guide
The English word 'next' can refer to the following item in a sequence, the immediate future, or spatial adjacency. Japanese uses different words depending on whether you mean 'next in order', 'next time', 'next to', or 'the following'. This guide helps you choose the right expression.
Referring to the following item in a list, the next turn, the next station, etc.
The most common and versatile word for 'next'. Can be used as a noun or with の to modify another noun.
次の駅で降ります。
I'll get off at the next station.
次はあなたの番です。
Next is your turn.
Used mainly in written or formal contexts for 'the next' day, week, month, year, etc. Often combined with time words.
翌日、彼は帰国した。
The next day, he returned to his country.
Used in specific time expressions like 明日 (tomorrow), 明後日 (day after tomorrow), 明くる日 (the next day). Mostly fixed phrases.
明くる朝、雪が積もっていた。
The next morning, snow had piled up.
Talking about the next occurrence or the immediate future.
Means 'next time' (for events, meetings, etc.). Slightly formal but very common.
次回の会議は月曜日です。
The next meeting is on Monday.
Means 'this time' or 'next time' depending on context. Very common in casual speech for 'next time'.
Literally 'this next', used like 'next time' in casual conversation.
Can also mean 'next time' when used alone or in phrases like 次に (next, then).
Describing physical proximity or adjacency.
Means 'next to' or 'neighboring'. Used for things that are side by side.
郵便局は銀行の隣です。
The post office is next to the bank.
Means 'beside' or 'next to'. More general than 隣 and can refer to any side.
彼は私の横に座った。
He sat next to me.
Emphasizes 'right next to' or 'immediately adjacent'.
コンビニは駅のすぐ隣です。
The convenience store is right next to the station.
Referring to something that comes after, often in explanations or narratives.
Used with time words (翌日, 翌週, 翌年) to mean 'the next/following'.
翌週、彼から手紙が届いた。
The following week, a letter arrived from him.
The standard way to say 'the next/following' when modifying a noun.
次の章を読んでください。
Please read the next chapter.
Used in fixed expressions like 明くる日 (the next day).
明くる日、旅に出た。
The next day, he set out on a journey.
次 (つぎ) is the general word for 'next' and can be used in most situations. 翌 (よく) is mainly used with time words (day, week, year) in formal or written contexts. In casual speech, 次の日 is more common than 翌日.
When you mean 'next to' as in physical adjacency, use 隣 (となり) or 横 (よこ). Using 次 would be incorrect.
Let's watch a movie together next time.
Come earlier next time.
I'll return it next time we meet.