吉日
also: きちにち · きつじつ
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Meanings
1
Refers to a day considered favorable according to the traditional Japanese calendar (e.g., 大安, 先勝). Often used when scheduling weddings, ceremonies, or important events.
We chose an auspicious day for the wedding.
Today is a lucky day (taian), so it's a good day for moving.
2
unspecified day of the month
Used in formal correspondence (letters, invitations) to obscure the exact date of writing, implying the document was prepared in advance. Typically appears as 吉日 in the date line.
The date on the invitation read 'a lucky day in July, Heisei 31'.
Writing 'kichijitsu' on official documents is a convention to avoid specifying the exact date of dispatch.
Expressions
- 思い立ったが吉日there's no time like the present; act on an idea right away