Translation guide
The English word 'date' has several distinct meanings: a romantic meeting, a calendar day, the fruit, and the act of going out with someone. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each situation.
Referring to a specific day, month, and year, or asking what day it is.
The most common word for 'date' as in a calendar date. Used for the date on documents, letters, etc.
今日の日付は何ですか。
What is today's date?
この手紙の日付は先週です。
The date on this letter is last week.
Refers to the day of the month or a specific day, often used in scheduling. More casual than 日付.
会議の日にちを決めましょう。
Let's decide on a date for the meeting.
Used to ask 'what date' or 'which day of the month'. Often combined with ですか.
誕生日は何日ですか。
What date is your birthday?
A planned social or romantic meeting between two people.
The standard loanword for a romantic date. Used for both the event and the activity.
彼とデートに行きます。
I'm going on a date with my boyfriend.
初めてのデートは映画でした。
Our first date was a movie.
The verb form meaning 'to go on a date' or 'to date someone'.
週末にデートする予定です。
I plan to go on a date this weekend.
A literary or old-fashioned word for a secret romantic meeting, often with a nuance of an affair.
The sweet fruit of the date palm.
The standard loanword for the fruit. Note the long vowel and 'ts' sound.
デーツは栄養が豊富です。
Dates are nutritious.
Literally 'fruit of the date palm'. More descriptive but less common in everyday speech.
ナツメヤシの実を乾燥させたものがデーツです。
Dried date palm fruit are dates.
The act of being in a romantic relationship or regularly going on dates with someone.
The most common verb for 'to date' or 'to go out with' someone. Implies an ongoing relationship.
彼女と付き合っています。
I'm dating her.
付き合ってどのくらいですか。
How long have you been dating?
A more formal term for 'dating' or 'going steady', often used in official contexts like marriage introductions.
彼とは真剣に交際しています。
I'm seriously dating him.
日付 (ひづけ) is only for calendar dates. デート is only for romantic meetings. Using the wrong one can cause confusion.
× 今日デートは何ですか。
Incorrect for 'What is today's date?'
○ 今日の日付は何ですか。
Correct: What is today's date?
付き合う implies an ongoing relationship, while デートする refers to the specific event of going on a date. You can デートする with someone you are not yet 付き合っている with.
彼女と付き合っているので、毎週デートします。
Since I'm dating her, we go on dates every week.
二人は逢引を重ねた。
They had many secret meetings.