明明後日

Japanese

Etymology 1

Compound of し (shi, of uncertain derivation) +‎ 明後日 (asatte, “the day after tomorrow”).

The initial shi element is uncertain. Speculatively, this might be related to, or a shift from, intensifying prefix ひ (hi) found in some adjectives, such as ひ弱(よわ)い (hiyowai, “delicate, very weak”).

First cited to a text from 1275.

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) しあさ​って (Nakadaka – )
• IPA^(key):

Noun

明明後日(しあさって) • (shiasatte) 

1. (Kansai, western Japan) three days from today, two days after tomorrow

   Synonym: (eastern Japan) 弥の明後日 (yanoasatte)

2. (Tōkyō, Kantō, Hokkaidō) four days from today

Usage notes

This term and 弥の明後日 (yanoasatte) share a roughly complementary distribution between eastern and western Japan, wherein the terms alternate between meaning "three days from today" and "four days from today".

Etymology 2

Compound of 明 (myō, “next, one later”) +‎ 明後日 (myōgonichi, “day after tomorrow”).

First cited to the Nippo Jisho of 1603.

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) みょーみょーご​にち (Nakadaka – )
• IPA^(key):

Noun

明(みょう)明(みょう)後(ご)日(にち) • (myōmyōgonichi) ^{←みやうみやうごにち (myaumyaugoniti)?}

1. two days after tomorrow, three days hence

References