分
fun[ɸɯ̟̃ɴ]
The Japanese word for "minute" (unit of time) is 分 (fun).
Meaning: unit of time (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
While the default pronunciation of the counter is fun, it undergoes phonetic changes depending on the number that precedes it. For example, one minute is pronounced ippun, three minutes is sanpun, six minutes is roppun and ten minutes is pronounced as either juppun or jippun.
How do you pronounce it?
fun
Did you know?
- The word 分 can be used in the phrase 分をわきまえる, which has nothing to do with time and instead means 'to know one's place' in a social hierarchy.
- Japanese has a specific word, 分刻み, which describes doing something 'minute by minute' or on a very strict, tight schedule.
- The character 分 can actually be read as bun in different contexts, such as when referring to certain portions or parts, not just as the time unit fun.
Examples in context
- 十分休憩しよう。Let's have a 10-minute break.This sentence shows how to use 分 to describe a duration of time for a break.Tatoeba #11891602 by small_snow, translation #10209430 by sundown
- 1分は60秒です。A minute has sixty seconds.This sentence uses 分 to state the mathematical relationship between minutes and seconds.Tatoeba #190068 by tommy_san, translation #27224 by sacredceltic
- 歩いて15分です。It's a fifteen-minute walk.This sentence uses 分 to describe how long it takes to walk somewhere.Tatoeba #11801321 by small_snow, translation #11264393 by ddnktr
- 63 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiroto and Himari are talking about a train arrival at the station.
- 大翔 Hirotoあと3分で電車が来るよ。Ato san-pun de densha ga kuru yo.The train is coming in 3 minutes.
- 陽葵 Himari本当？急がないと！Honto? Isoganaito!Really? We have to hurry!
- 大翔 Hiroto大丈夫、まだ3分あるよ。Daijoubu, mada san-pun aru yo.It's okay, we still have 3 minutes.
- 陽葵 Himariよかった、大翔くん。Yokatta, Hiroto-kun.That's a relief, Hiroto.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “minute” translations and entries 分, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
