Meaning
The kanji 翌 means 'the next' or 'following'. It typically refers to a period of time, such as a day, week, or year, implying immediate succession—what comes right after the current period. For instance, 翌日 means 'the next day', and 翌年 means 'the next year'. You'll see this kanji primarily used to modify time-related nouns, specifying the subsequent unit of time.
Its origin is generally considered a phono-semantic compound. The left part, 立, serves as the phonetic component, while the right part, 羽 (wing), is the semantic component. While 'wing' might not immediately suggest 'next', the imagery of wings implies movement and swift passage. It could hint at things that follow in rapid succession, much like a bird's wings beat. Therefore, the idea of one period swiftly following another might be subtly implied by the 'wing' element.
The kanji 翌 has 11 strokes and is considered a Grade 8 kanji (part of the Jōyō Kanji list, but not assigned to elementary school grades 1-6).
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary and most common reading for 翌 is ヨク. You'll nearly always find this On'yomi reading in compound words, where it denotes 'the next' or 'following' period of time. It functions much like a prefix, always preceding a noun that specifies the time unit.
- ヨク
This ヨク reading is essential for understanding the kanji. It often appears in formal and written Japanese to indicate succession. Whenever you see 翌 at the beginning of a time-related compound word, it will almost always be read as ヨク.
- 翌日 (yokujitsu) — the next day
- 翌週 (yokushuu) — the next week
- 翌年 (yokunen) — the next year
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
While some dictionaries list つぎ as a Kun'yomi for 翌, it's important for learners to note that this reading is very rarely used in practice for this kanji. The word つぎ, meaning 'next' or 'following', is almost always written with the kanji 次. Therefore, if you encounter つぎ in spoken or written Japanese, it refers to 次, not 翌. Learners should focus almost entirely on the On'yomi ヨク for this kanji, as its use in modern Japanese is almost entirely limited to that reading in compounds.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 翌 is primarily seen in compounds referring to sequential time periods. Learning these common words is crucial for understanding how 翌 is used.
Time-Related Compounds
- 翌日 (yokujitsu) — the next day; the following day
This is perhaps the most common compound, referring to the day immediately following a specific point in time.
- 翌週 (yokushuu) — the next week; the following week
Similar to 翌日, this refers to the week immediately following the current one.
- 翌月 (yokugetsu) — the next month; the following month
This indicates the month that comes directly after the current month.
- 翌年 (yokunen) — the next year; the following year
Refers to the year that follows the current one, often appearing in official documents or forecasts.
- 翌朝 (yokuasa) — the next morning
Less common than 翌日, it specifies the morning of the following day.
- 翌晩 (yokuban) — the next evening/night
Similar to 翌朝, this focuses on the evening or night of the following day.
Sequential Period Compounds
- 翌期 (yokuki) — the next term; the next period
Often used in academic, business, or financial contexts, this refers to the subsequent term or period.
- 翌年度 (yokunendo) — the next fiscal year; the next academic year
This specifically refers to financial or academic years that follow the current one.
- 翌々日 (yokuyokujitsu) — the day after tomorrow; two days later
This interesting compound uses 翌 twice to mean 'the next, next day,' or 'the day after tomorrow'.
- 翌々週 (yokuyokushuu) — the week after next; two weeks later
Similar to 翌々日, this extends the 'next, next' concept to weeks, meaning 'the week after next'.
- 翌々年 (yokuyokunen) — the year after next; two years later
This is used for the year two years from now.
Example Sentences
会議は翌日に延期されました。
Kaigi wa yokujitsu ni enki saremashita.
The meeting was postponed to the next day.
翌週の予定を確認してください。
Yokushuu no yotei o kakunin shite kudasai.
Please confirm next week's schedule.
新製品は翌月に発売される予定です。
Shinseihin wa yokugetsu ni hatsubai sareru yotei desu.
The new product is scheduled to be released next month.
翌年の目標を設定しましょう。
Yokunen no mokuhyou o settei shimashou.
Let's set goals for the next year.
報告書は翌朝までに提出してください。
Houkokusho wa yokuasa made ni teishutsu shite kudasai.
Please submit the report by the next morning.
この計画は翌期に実施されます。
Kono keikaku wa yokuki ni jisshi saremasu.
This plan will be implemented next term.
翌会計年度の予算が承認された。
Yokukaikeinendo no yosan ga shounin sareta.
The budget for the next fiscal year was approved.
彼女は翌々日に帰国すると言っていた。
Kanojo wa yokuyokujitsu ni kikoku suru to itte ita.
She said she would return to her home country the day after tomorrow.
翌々週には、このプロジェクトは完了するだろう。
Yokuyokushuu ni wa, kono purojekuto wa kanryou suru darou.
This project will probably be completed in the week after next.
Memory Tip
To remember 翌, consider its components: 立 (to stand) on the left and 羽 (wing) on the right. Picture the current day or period STANDING, then swiftly FLYING away on WINGS, clearing the way for the NEXT one. You can think of the new day 'standing up' (立) and quickly taking its place, as if it had wings (羽) to fly in. This vivid image of a new period arriving swiftly helps connect the components to the meaning of 'the next' or 'following'.