Meaning
You will see 朝 (asa) everywhere in Japan, from daily greetings to history books. While it primarily means 'morning,' it also refers to a 'dynasty' or 'imperial court.' This second meaning comes from the ancient practice of officials reporting to the palace at dawn. Because the ruler governed from this court, the character eventually came to represent the era of their reign as well.
Think of the kanji as a snapshot of dawn. On the left, the sun (日) is sandwiched between two patches of grass. This shows the sun rising over the horizon. On the right, the moon (月) is still visible in the sky. This 12-stroke character captures that brief moment when night turns into day. It is a 2nd-grade kanji and a vital building block for N4 learners.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary reading is チョウ (chō). You will encounter this in formal, academic, or historical compound words. Use this reading when discussing government administration or specific historical periods.
朝食 (chōshoku) — breakfast (formal or written term)
早朝 (sōchō) — early morning
王朝 (ōchō) — dynasty
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The most common reading is あさ (asa). This is the standard word for 'morning' when the kanji stands alone. It also appears in many compound words describing daily habits. Be careful with 'this morning,' which uses an irregular reading.
朝 (asa) — morning
毎朝 (maiasa) — every morning
今朝 (kesa) — this morning (Note: This is an irregular 'ateji' reading you must memorize separately)
Common Words & Compounds
The compounds for 朝 vary from casual breakfast talk to formal newspaper terms. Learning these categories helps you choose the right word for the situation.
Time & Routine
These words are essential for scheduling and talking about your day.
- 今朝 (kesa) — This morning; used for the current day.
- 明朝 (myōchō) — Tomorrow morning; more formal than 'ashita no asa.'
- 朝御飯 (asagohan) — Breakfast; the most common conversational term.
- 朝寝坊 (asanebō) — Oversleeping or being a late riser.
Objects & Events
Morning activities often have specific names in Japanese.
- 朝刊 (chōkan) — Morning newspaper; the opposite is the evening paper (yūkan).
- 朝顔 (asagao) — Morning glory; a flower that symbolizes summer in Japan.
- 朝礼 (chōrei) — Morning assembly; common in schools and Japanese offices.
- 一朝一夕 (itchōisseki) — In a very short time; literally 'one morning, one evening.'
Politics & Geography
In these cases, the character refers to a regime or a specific region.
- 朝廷 (chōtei) — Imperial Court; referring to Japan's historical government.
- 北朝鮮 (kitachōsen) — North Korea.
Example Sentences
毎朝、６時に起きてジョギングをします。
maiasa, roku-ji ni okite jogingu wo shimasu.
I wake up at 6 every morning and go jogging.
今朝はパンと卵を食べました。
kesa wa pan to tamago wo tabemashita.
I ate bread and eggs this morning.
明日の早朝に京都へ向かいます。
ashita no sōchō ni Kyōto e mukaimasu.
I am heading to Kyoto early tomorrow morning.
昨日は夜更かしをしたので、今日は朝寝坊しました。
kinō wa yofukashi wo shita node, kyō wa asanebō shimashita.
I stayed up late last night, so I overslept today.
朝の空気はとてもおいしいです。
asa no kūki wa totemo oishii desu.
The morning air is very fresh.
Related Kanji
- 昼 — Daytime, Noon, Midday (Kanji N4)
- 夜 — Night, Evening (Kanji N4)
- 夕 — Evening, Dusk (Kanji N4)
- 短 — Short, brief, defect (Kanji N4)
- 病 — Sickness, Illness, Disease (Kanji N4)
- 便 — Convenience, Facility, Communication (Kanji N4)
Memory Tip
Visualize the left side as the sun rising through tall grass in the fields. On the right side, the moon is still hanging in the sky. To remember the reading 'asa', think of 'Assembling' your tools for work as soon as the sun comes up. For the 'chō' reading, remember that a 'Dynasty' (chō) often changes with a single 'Morning' (chō) of revolution.