How to say "today" in Japanese

• 今日きょうJLPT N5approx.Common
  noun, adverbThe plain word for 'today' as the current day — 'I'm busy today', 'today is a holiday'. When you simply mean the day you are in, this is the word to reach for.
  その事故じこは去年きょねんの今日きょう、起おきたのだ。↗

  The accident happened a year ago today.
• 本日ほんじつCommon
  noun, adverbAlso means 'today; this day', but it is the formal counterpart of 今日, at home in announcements, notices and business writing. For everyday conversation 今日 is the natural choice.
  あいにくですが本日ほんじつは予約よやくでいっぱいです。↗

  I'm sorry, today is fully booked.
• 現代げんだいJLPT N3approx.Common
  no-adjectiveHere 'today' means the present age, not the calendar day: 'the world of today', 'modern society'. For 'I'll do it today' this is the wrong word — that sense belongs to 今日.
  私は現代げんだいの音楽おんがくはあまり好すきではない事ことを認みとめます。↗

  I must admit I don't like much contemporary music.
• 今時いまどきCommon
  noun, adverbCovers 'these days; nowadays' — the current period and its fashions or attitudes rather than a particular day, often with an evaluative or critical tone. Not a substitute for 今日 in 'I'm busy today'.
  いまどきそんなことは子供こどもだってしないだろう。↗

  A child today would not do that.

Use 今日 for the plain everyday sense of this day, 本日 in formal announcements and business contexts, 現代 for 'today' meaning the present age, and 今時 for 'these days', often with an evaluative tone.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 今日きょうtoday
• 本日ほんじつtoday
• 現代げんだいpresent age
• 今時いまどきthese days
• トゥデーtoday
• 今日たこんにったtoday