タイムゾーン
taimu zōn[ta̠imɯ̟ d͡zõ̞ːɴ]
The English phrase "time zone" can be expressed in Japanese as either タイムゾーン (taimu zōn) or 時間帯.
Meaning: range of longitudes where a common standard time is used (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| タイムゾーン | taimu zōn | [ta̠imɯ̟ d͡zõ̞ːɴ] (narrow) |
| 時間帯 | jikantai | [d͡ʑikã̠nta̠i] (narrow) |
The term refers to the range of longitudes where a common standard time is used. While タイムゾーン is a direct loanword specifically for this geographical concept, the Japanese term 時間帯 is also frequently used to mean a specific time period or time slot, such as an evening time slot.
Which one should you use?
タイムゾーン is a loanword used for the concept of a geographical time zone. In contrast, 時間帯 is a more versatile term that can refer to a geographical time zone or a specific time slot or period of the day.
How do you pronounce it?
taimu zōn
Did you know?
- The character 帯 in 時間帯 means 'belt' or 'band', the same word used for an 'obi' sash worn with a traditional kimono.
- Although Japan spans a wide geographical area, it uses a single time zone, unlike the US or Russia which are divided into several.
- In Japanese, the concept of 'time' is expressed by 時間, but when referring to a specific 'point' in time, they use 時刻, creating a distinction English does not strictly make.
Examples in context
- 東京の時間帯は何ですか？What is the time zone of Tokyo?
- 日本とロンドンの時差は何時間ですか？What is the time difference between Japan and London?
- この国には複数のタイムゾーンがあります。Kono kuni ni wa fukusuu no taimu zōn ga arimasu.This country has multiple time zones.
- タイムゾーンの設定を確認してください。Taimu zōn no settei o kakunin shite kudasai.Please check the time zone settings.
- 別のタイムゾーンに移動しました。Betsu no taimu zōn ni idou shimashita.I moved to a different time zone.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are discussing an online meeting with an overseas client.
- 蓮 Ren相手のタイムゾーンはどこかな？Aite no taimu zōn wa doko kana?I wonder what the client's time zone is?
- 結衣 Yuiロンドンなので、今は夜ですよ。Rondon na node, ima wa yoru desu yo.It's London, so it's nighttime there now.
- 蓮 Renそれなら、会議の時間は調整が必要だね。Sore nara, kaigi no jikan wa chousei ga hitsuyou da ne.In that case, we'll need to adjust the meeting time.
- 結衣 Yuiはい、蓮さん、私がやっておきます。Hai, Ren-san, watashi ga yatte okimasu.Yes, Ren, I will take care of it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “time zone” translations and entries タイムゾーン, 時間帯, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries タイムゾーン, 時間帯, CC BY-SA 4.0.
