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昨

On'yomi
サク
SAKU

yesterday · previous

Details

Strokes9
Frequency#226
Radical日sun(4)

Stroke Order

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Strokes9

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of sun and suddenly. Day passed.

Symbolism

Yesterday, last year, last night. Represents past.

Related Culture & Scenes

  • — Start of the day

Component Breakdown

昨=
日乍

sun + 乍

Words & Expressions

Words written with 昨

昨日きのうyesterday
昨春さくしゅんlast spring
昨夜さくやyesterday evening
昨秋さくしゅうfall of last year
昨年来さくねんらいsince last year
一昨年おととしyear before last

Four-Character Compounds

昨非今是

さくひこんぜ

complete reversal of values or ways of thinking

今是昨非

こんぜさくひ

complete reversal of values or ways of thinking (over time); What appeared wrong in the past now appears right; realizing and regretting the past errors of one's ways

Proverbs & Idioms

昨日の敵は今日の友

きのうのてきはきょうのとも

Yesterday's enemy is today's friend

Former foes can become allies

Other kanji with the same meaning

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 昨 mean in Japanese?

昨 means yesterday, previous.

How do you read 昨?

On'yomi: サク (SAKU).

How many strokes does 昨 have?

昨 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 日 (sun).

Is 昨 a good kanji for a tattoo?

昨 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means yesterday, previous. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.

Explore by meaning:yesterday · previous