ご飯の時間
gohan no jikan
The English phrase "time to eat" is translated into Japanese as ご飯の時間 (gohan no jikan).
ご飯の時間 is a noun phrase used to announce that a meal is ready to be served. It is not a complete sentence containing a verb.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ご飯 (gohan), meaning meal or cooked rice, the particle の (no), meaning "s" or "of" and 時間 (jikan), meaning time.
How do you pronounce it?
gohan no jikan
When do people say it?
While ご飯の時間 is used to announce that a meal is ready, Japanese speakers typically say いただきます (itadakimasu), which means "I humbly receive", immediately before starting to eat as a sign of gratitude.
Did you know?
- The word ご飯 (gohan) is derived from 御飯, where the prefix 御 (go) is an honorific added to show respect for the food.
- Using ご飯 for any meal is a linguistic relic from the Edo period when rice was the primary staple and most other foods were considered side dishes.
- While ご飯の時間 announces the meal, the actual act of eating is often preceded by a rhythmic clap of the hands during the phrase いただきます (itadakimasu).
Examples in context
- そろそろご飯の時間ですよ。Sorosoro gohan no jikan desu yo.It is almost time to eat.
- ご飯の時間だ！Gohan no jikan da!It's time to eat!
Example conversation
A mother calls her son to the dining table.
- 結衣 Yui蓮、ご飯の時間だよ。Ren, gohan no jikan da yo.Ren, it is time to eat.
- 蓮 Ren今行くよ、お母さん。Ima iku yo, okaasan.I'm coming now, Mom.
- 結衣 Yui温かいうちに食べてね。Atatakai uchi ni tabete ne.Eat it while it's warm.
- 蓮 Renわかった、ありがとう。Wakatta, arigatou.Okay, thanks.
