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昨日 (きのう, kinou) Japanese meaning: yesterday | Kotomora
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It rained all day yesterday.
I met a friend yesterday.
A new policy was decided at yesterday's meeting.
Usage patterns 昨日き の 〈 時うの〈とき〉 〉 yesterday's (morning/night/etc.)
I talked with a friend on the phone last night.
昨日きのう から 〈 事こと〉 〉 since yesterday
I've had a headache since yesterday.
昨日きのう まで 〈 事こと〉 〉 until yesterday
It had been raining until yesterday.
Expressions 昨日きのう の 今日きょう right after yesterday; only yesterday; so soon after yesterday Opposites 明日 means 'tomorrow', the direct opposite of 昨日, 'yesterday'.
今日 means 'today', the present day that separates 昨日 (yesterday) from 明日 (tomorrow).
Etymology The kanji 昨日 literally mean 'previous day.' The reading さくじつ follows Sino-Japanese readings of the characters, while きのう is a special established reading for the same written word.
きのう
Usage 8%
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Practical kana spelling for the everyday reading, often used when a softer or less formal style is desired.