Japanese word

一昨日

Pronunciation

Romajiototoi

Meaning

  • nounthe day before yesterday

Example

一昨日の朝、散歩しました。ototoi no asa san po shi ma shi ta

I took a walk on the morning of the day before yesterday.

Illustration for 一昨日 (the day before yesterday)

More examples

一昨日は、図書館で本を借りました。ototoi wa to sho kan de hon o ka ri ma shi ta

I borrowed a book at the library the day before yesterday.

Core concept

It places an event two days before the present, with yesterday as the intervening day.

Common phrases

  • 一昨日の朝ototoi no asa

    the morning of the day before yesterday

  • 一昨日の夜ototoi no yoru

    the night of the day before yesterday

Definition in Japanese

現在を基準に、二日前の日。gen zai o ki jun ni futsu ka mae no hi

Word origin

一昨日 (ototoi) is a native Japanese form that developed from をとつひ (wototsuhi, "a distant day"); the kanji spelling uses 一 (ichi, "one") and 昨日 (kinō, "yesterday") to show the relation.

Usage tips

  • The everyday noun 一昨日 (ototoi) contrasts with the more formal term 前々日 (zenzenjitsu), which often appears in schedules, records, and other written contexts.

Word lists with this word