時間
jikan[d͡ʑikã̠ɴ]
jikan is the Japanese word for time.
The word 時間 is used to refer to the general concept of time as well as to a specific duration or period of time. For example, a formal expression using this concept is 時間管理, which means time management.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a counter for hours, 時間 is pronounced the same as the noun for time. Note that the counter ji (時) is attached to numbers to express hours.
How do you pronounce it?
jikan
Did you know?
- The character 間 in 時間 originally refers to a space or a gap between two things. This reflects a cultural view of time as a physical distance or an interval rather than a flowing stream.
- The word 時間 was repurposed during the Meiji period as a philosophical translation for the Western concept of 'time'. It appeared in the 1881 'Philosophy Dictionary' compiled by Inoue Tetsujirō.
- While jikan is the general word for time, Japanese has separate words for 'time' depending on whether it is a moment とき, a period 時期, or an era 時代.
Examples in context
- 私の仕事は時間を管理することです。Managing time is my job.
- 時間管理はビジネスにおいて非常に重要です。Time management is extremely important in business.
- 六時に会いましょう。Let's meet at six o'clock.
- 時間がありません。There is no time.
- もっと時間がほしいです。motto jikan ga hoshii desu.I want more time.
Example conversation
Youta and Yui are talking about meeting up.
- 陽太 Yota結衣、明日時間ある？Yui, ashita jikan aru?Yui, do you have time tomorrow?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、空いてるよ。un, aiteru yo.Yes, I'm free.
- 陽太 Yotaじゃあ、一緒に映画に行こう。jaa, issho ni eiga ni ikou.Then, let's go to a movie together.
- 結衣 Yuiいいよ、楽しみ！ii yo, tanoshimi!Sure, I'm looking forward to it!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 時間, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 時間, CC BY-SA 4.0.
