昨日 kanji reading

[andrew7885]

Hi,
I'm just wondering how a reading of the kanji for "yesterday" can form the word kinou when this doesn't appear to fit any of the normal readings?
Are there many words like this? Is the alternative reading sakujitsu often used?
Thanks

[j_bertoni2279]

Words like that are called "ateji" (当て字), and there are a fair number of them. The Monbushou puts out an official list of some of them for high school students, I think. You might find a list somewhere if you search, but you can learn them as you go, too.

今日　（きょう）is another common example.

I don't think I've ever heard "sakujitsu", but it might be possible. It'd be in a very formal context, I would guess.

[Javizy]

I have heard さくじつ in the news, but I've heard them say きのう as well. I guess it's like the difference between 今日 and 本日. I doubt you'll ever get a chance to use the formal ones unless you're doing business or giving a speech or something extremely 堅い.