English has a funny little habit: it gives you two common ways to ask about the day. One sounds more direct, and one sounds more natural in everyday conversation. English, as usual, could have chosen one form and behaved itself. But no.
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In this guide, you will learn how to ask what day it is today, how to answer correctly, and how to use related phrases for dates, weekdays, and everyday plans.
You will also see why “What day is it today?” and “What day is today?” are both possible, but not always used in the same way.
The Two Main Ways To Ask
| English | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentence | Learner Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What day is it today? | wut day iz it tuh-DAY | Asks for the current day of the week | What day is it today? Is it Tuesday or Wednesday? | Very common and natural. |
| What day is today? | wut day iz tuh-DAY | Also asks for the current day of the week | What day is today? I always forget on holidays. | Correct, but a little less common in everyday speech. |
The first version includes it because English often needs a subject in the sentence. The second version drops it, and that still works in a question. Both are understandable. The first one is usually safer for learners.
Yak tip: If you are not sure, say What day is it today? It sounds natural, clear, and friendly. No drama. No confusion. Very efficient.
Useful Ways To Answer
| English | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentence | Learner Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today is Monday. | tuh-DAY iz MUN-day | States the day of the week | Today is Monday, so I have a meeting after lunch. | Very common answer form. |
| It’s Monday. | its MUN-day | Short, natural answer | It’s Friday! Finally. | Most common in conversation. |
| It’s Monday today. | its MUN-day tuh-DAY | Emphasizes the day | It’s Monday today, so the office is busy. | Useful if you want to be extra clear. |
| Today is the 5th. | tuh-DAY iz thuh FIFTH | Gives the date | Today is the 5th, not the 6th. | Use this for date, not weekday. |
| It’s the 5th today. | its thuh FIFTH tuh-DAY | Short date answer | It’s the 5th today, so rent is due soon. | Natural in speech. |
Notice the difference between day and date:
- day = Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and so on
- date = the number on the calendar, like 5th, 12th, or 21st
Why English Has Two Questions
English often allows more than one structure for the same idea. That can feel annoying at first, but it also means you hear many versions in real life.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example | Learner Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| What day is it today? | Asking for the weekday | What day is it today? | Uses a dummy subject it. |
| What day is today? | Same general meaning | What day is today? | Still correct, but slightly less common. |
| What day is it? | Very common casual question | What day is it? I lost track. | Often enough without today. |
In real conversation, people often shorten the question even more and simply say What day is it? If the context is already clear, today is unnecessary.
More Daily Phrases You Will Hear
| English | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentence | Learner Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What day is it? | wut day iz it | Asks for the day of the week | What day is it? I forgot after the long weekend. | Very common in casual speech. |
| What date is it? | wut dayt iz it | Asks for the calendar date | What date is it? Is it the 14th already? | Use for the number, not the weekday. |
| What’s the date today? | wuts thuh dayt tuh-DAY | Asks for today’s date | What’s the date today? I need to fill out this form. | Very natural and useful. |
| What day of the week is it? | wut day uhv thuh week iz it | Asks specifically for Monday through Sunday | What day of the week is it? I’m completely lost. | Clear and a little more formal. |
| Is today Monday? | iz tuh-DAY MUN-day | Checks one specific day | Is today Monday, or am I still dreaming? | Common when you already have a guess. |
| It’s already Friday? | its awl-RED-ee FRY-day | Shows surprise about the day | It’s already Friday? That week disappeared. | Very natural in conversation. |
| Today is Wednesday, right? | tuh-DAY iz WENZ-day ryt | Checks information politely | Today is Wednesday, right? | Useful when confirming with someone. |
| Sorry, I lost track of the days. | SAH-ree eye lawst trak uhv thuh dayz | Explains why you are asking | Sorry, I lost track of the days during vacation. | Very natural and human. |
| Every day feels the same. | EV-ree day feelz thuh same | Expresses that time is confusing | When I work from home, every day feels the same. | Common in modern life, sadly. |
| I need to check my calendar. | eye need tuh chek my KAL-en-dur | Says you will verify the date | I need to check my calendar because I forgot the meeting day. | Useful business and daily-life phrase. |
Simple Grammar: Why “It” Helps
In English, it is often used as a dummy subject. That means it does not refer to a real thing. It just helps the sentence sound complete.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example | Learner Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| It is Monday. | Complete sentence with a subject | It is Monday. | Normal and correct. |
| Monday is today. | Emphasizes the day | Monday is today, so the office is open. | Less common in simple answers. |
| What day is it? | Question with dummy subject | What day is it? | Very natural. |
| What day is today? | Question without dummy subject | What day is today? | Possible, but not the most common choice. |
This is similar to other English phrases like It’s raining or It’s late. English likes a little helper subject, because apparently the sentence must dress up before it leaves the house.
Real-Life Situations
- At school: “What day is it today? I forgot the homework deadline.”
- At work: “What day is it today? I thought the meeting was on Thursday.”
- On vacation: “What day is it today? I’ve completely lost track.”
- In a text message: “What date is it today?”
- During a phone call: “Is today Friday, or am I mixing things up again?”
These questions are very common in everyday English because people are busy, distracted, and occasionally living in a time fog. Very relatable.
Common Mistakes
| Wrong | Better | Why |
|---|---|---|
| What day today is? | What day is it today? | English question word order usually puts the verb before the subject in questions. |
| What date is today? | What’s the date today? | This sounds more natural for asking the calendar date. |
| What day are today? | What day is it today? | day is singular, so use is. |
| It is Monday today? | Is it Monday today? | Questions need question word order. |
One easy memory trick: if you want a question, check the verb. In English, the verb often moves early in the sentence. That tiny move causes a lot of trouble for learners, because English loves to hide the rules in plain sight.
Quick Practice
- Choose the best question: What day is it today? or What date is it today?
- You want the weekday. Say: ______________
- You want the calendar number. Say: ______________
- Correct the sentence: What day today is?
- Answer naturally: It’s Tuesday. / Today is Tuesday.
- Say it politely: Today is Wednesday, right?
Answers: 1) either can work, but weekday questions often use What day is it today? 2) What day is it today? 3) What’s the date today? 4) What day is today? or better, What day is it today?
Quick Reference Summary
- What day is it today? = common, natural, safest choice
- What day is today? = also correct, but less common
- What date is it today? = asks for the number on the calendar
- It’s Monday. = short and natural answer
- Today is Monday. = clear and complete answer
- What day of the week is it? = more specific and slightly more formal
If you want more English practice, try a short test on English vocabulary or check your level with the English placement test CEFR. You can also keep learning with the main Learn English guide.
Yak takeaway: If you forget the day, ask What day is it today? If you want the date, ask What’s the date today? Simple. Useful. No calendar panic required.
