Translation guide
The English word "tonight" refers to the current evening or the coming night. In Japanese, it is most naturally expressed with time words like 今夜 (kon'ya) or 今晩 (konban), but the choice depends on formality and context. Often, the word is omitted when it's clear from context.
Referring to the evening or night of the current day, typically from sunset to bedtime or through the night.
The most common and neutral way to say 'tonight'. Used in both spoken and written Japanese. Refers to the night from now until dawn.
今夜は何を食べたい？
What do you want to eat tonight?
今夜の天気はどう？
How's the weather tonight?
Slightly more formal than 今夜. Often used in greetings like 今晩は (konban wa, 'good evening'). Can also refer to the evening period before bedtime.
今晩の予定はありますか？
Do you have plans tonight?
今晩は早く寝ます。
I'll go to bed early tonight.
Literally 'today's night'. More casual and conversational. Often used when making plans or talking about the evening.
今日の夜、映画を見ない？
Want to watch a movie tonight?
In Japanese, if the context makes it clear you're talking about tonight, you can often drop the time word entirely. This is very natural in conversation.
何時に帰る？
What time are you coming home tonight?
晩ごはんはカレーだよ。
Dinner is curry tonight.
A literary or formal term for 'tonight', rarely used in everyday speech. Might appear in poetry or formal writing.
本夜の月は美しい。
The moon tonight is beautiful.
Emphasizing that something is happening specifically tonight, not on other nights.
Means 'only tonight' or 'just for tonight'. Used to stress that something is an exception or special.
今夜に限って早く帰れる。
I can go home early just for tonight.
Emphatic 'tonight' – implies 'tonight is the night' or 'this time for sure'. Often used with determination.
今夜こそ早く寝るぞ。
Tonight I'm definitely going to bed early.
今夜 (kon'ya) is the most general and neutral. 今晩 (konban) is slightly more formal and often used in set phrases like 今晩は (good evening). 今日の夜 (kyō no yoru) is casual and conversational. In many situations, they are interchangeable, but 今夜 is the safest default.
Japanese often omits time words when the context is clear. If you're talking about dinner, plans, or the weather, and it's obvious you mean tonight, you can just use the verb or noun without a time expression. This sounds more natural than always translating 'tonight'.
今夜何する？
What are you doing tonight?
今夜は家にいる。
I'm staying home tonight.
今夜は雨が降るかもしれない。
It might rain tonight.