Learning how to express hours in Japanese is an essential skill for any language learner. Whether you are planning a trip to Japan or simply interested in Japanese culture, being able to tell the time is invaluable. In this guide, we will cover various ways to express hours in both formal and informal settings, while also providing tips, examples, and regional variations when necessary.
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions
In formal settings, it is important to use polite language to show respect. Here are the formal ways to communicate hours in Japanese:
1. Use the word “ji” (時):
This is the most common way to express hours formally. For example, to say “1 o’clock,” you would say “ichi-ji” (一時). Similarly, “2 o’clock” would be “ni-ji” (二時).2. Include the word “gozen” (午前) or “gogo” (午後):
To specify morning or afternoon, you can add “gozen” for “a.m.” and “gogo” for “p.m.” For example, “7 a.m.” would be “gozen shichi-ji” (午前七時) and “3 p.m.” would be “gogo san-ji” (午後三時).
Examples:
Here are some examples of formal expressions for various hours of the day:
- 10 o’clock a.m. – “gozen ju-ji” (午前十時)
- 6 o’clock p.m. – “gogo roku-ji” (午後六時)
- 12 o’clock p.m. – “gogo juunii-ji” (午後十二時)
Informal Expressions
Informal situations allow for more casual language. Here are some ways to express hours informally:
1. Use numbers and “ji” (時):
This method is similar to formal expressions but without honorific language. For example, “1 o’clock” would be “ichi-ji” (一時), and “2 o’clock” would be “ni-ji” (二時).2. Use “asa” (朝), “hiru” (昼), or “yoru” (夜):
Instead of specifying a.m. or p.m., you can use “asa” for morning, “hiru” for afternoon, or “yoru” for evening/night. For example, “7 a.m.” would be “asa shichi-ji” (朝七時) and “3 p.m.” would be “hiru san-ji” (昼三時).
Examples:
Here are some examples of informal expressions for various hours of the day:
- 10 o’clock a.m. – “ju-ji” (十時)
- 6 o’clock p.m. – “roku-ji” (六時)
- 12 o’clock p.m. – “juunii-ji” (十二時)
Useful Tips
Here are some additional tips to help you when talking about hours in Japanese:
- Counting Hours: Unlike English, where the hours restart after 12, Japanese continues counting from 13 onwards (e.g., 13 o’clock is “juu-san ji” (十三時)).
- Using “FUN” for Minutes: To express minutes, you can use the word “fun” (分). For example, “10:15 a.m.” would be “gozen juu-ji juu-go fun” (午前十時十五分).
- Reference to Timing: When referring to time intervals (e.g., “around 3 o’clock”), you can use the phrase “san-ji goro” (三時ごろ) which means “around 3 o’clock.”
Regional Variations
While Japanese is mainly standardized, there can be slight regional variations in how hours are expressed. Here are a couple of examples:
- In the Kansai region, “ji” (時) is often pronounced as “toke” (とけ) or “tokee” (とけー).
- In Kyushu, the counter for hours “ji” (時) is sometimes pronounced as “zi” (じ) or “jii” (じい).
These regional variations may be used in conversation, but it is generally recommended to stick to the standard language in formal settings.
With this comprehensive guide, you now have all the tools to express hours in Japanese confidently. Whether you’re having a casual conversation or engaging in a formal setting, these expressions will help you navigate through time-related conversations effortlessly. Happy learning!
