時間を守る
jikan o mamoruattributive, verb
The English phrase "punctual" is translated into Japanese as 時間を守る (jikan o mamoru).
This phrase is used to describe the habit of being on time rather than a single instance of arriving on time.
Meaning: prompt (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 時間を守る describes the habit of being punctual, other expressions exist for specific nuances. 定刻に means doing something "on schedule" or "at the appointed time." For a more descriptive or idiomatic approach, you can use the informal phrase 時間に厳しい, which means "strict with time," or 時間にルーズじゃない, which means "not being loose with time." If you want to describe someone who is very picky about time, you can use the informal 時間にうるさい. Finally, 時間にピッタリ means being "exactly on time" or "right on schedule."
How does it change in a sentence?
To use this verb phrase as an adjective to describe a person, you attach it directly to the noun using the dictionary form, such as in the phrase 時間を守る人 (a punctual person).
How do you pronounce it?
jikan o mamoru
Did you know?
- Japanese trains are so famous for 時間を守る that when a delay of just a few minutes occurs, the railway company may issue a formal 'delay certificate' for passengers to show their employers.
- The verb used in 時間を守る, which is 守る (mamoru), literally means 'to protect' or 'to defend'. When you say you are being punctual, you are linguistically 'protecting' the time.
- In Japan, arriving for an appointment exactly at the scheduled time is often considered late. To be truly 'punctual', it is customary to arrive five to ten minutes early to ensure you are ready when the meeting begins.
Examples in context
- 彼はいつも時間を守る。He is always punctual.This sentence uses 時間を守る to describe a person's consistent habit of being punctual.Tatoeba #114526 by bunbuku, translation #289145 by CH
- 彼が時間を守る事などあてにはできない。You can't depend on him to be punctual.This sentence uses 時間を守る to express a lack of reliability regarding someone's punctuality.Tatoeba #120224 by bunbuku, translation #400173 by CK
- 彼はいつも時間を守りますHe always keeps time.
- 彼女は定刻に到着しましたShe arrived on schedule.
- 彼は時間に厳しい人だHe is a strict person when it comes to time.
- あの人は時間にルーズじゃないThat person is not loose with time.
- 彼女は時間にうるさいShe is picky about time.
- 彼はいつも時間にピッタリですHe is always right on schedule.
- 時間を守る人は信頼できる。jikan o mamoru hito wa shinrai dekiru.A person who is punctual can be trusted.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are talking about a new coworker.
- 健太 Kenta新しい同僚はどうですか？Atarashii dōryō wa dō desu ka?How is the new colleague?
- 美咲 Misakiとても真面目で、ちゃんと時間を守る人ですよ。Totemo majime de, chanto jikan o mamoru hito desu yo.They are very serious and a punctual person.
- 健太 Kentaそれはいいですね。Sore wa ii desu ne.That's good to hear.
- 美咲 Misakiええ、仕事の効率が上がります。Ee, shigoto no kōritsu ga agarimasu.Yes, it makes the work more efficient.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “punctual” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
