今何時か
Ima nanji ka
In Japanese, the phrase for "what time it is" is 今何時か (Ima nanji ka).
This phrase is used to refer to the current time of day, typically as a clause within a larger sentence. When responding to a question about the time, you can use the pattern 〇時〇分です, where 時 is the counter for hours and 分 is the counter for minutes. For example, the phrase 四時半 is used to mean 4:30.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 今 (now), 何時 (what time) and the particle か, which is used for embedded questions.
Which one should you use?
今何時か is used as a clause within a larger sentence, such as "Do you know what time it is?" In contrast, if you want to ask the direct question "What time is it?" on its own, you should use 今何時ですか？
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The combination of 今何時か with 分かる？ is an informal way to ask if someone knows the time.
How does it change in a sentence?
今何時か functions as an embedded question within a larger sentence, such as when used with verbs like 分かる？ or 分かりますか？
How do you pronounce it?
Ima nanji ka
Did you know?
- If you want to ask for the time in a very formal setting, such as a business meeting, you might replace 今何時ですか with 今何時でしょうか. This adds a layer of softness and politeness through the use of the conjectural form.
- The character 分 used for minutes literally means 'to divide' or 'part'. This reflects the concept that minutes are the smaller parts that divide the hours.
- In Japanese, the word for 'time' or 'hour', 時, is also a common surname. While it usually refers to time in this context, you might encounter it in names unrelated to the clock.
Examples in context
- 今何時か分かる？Do you know what time it is?This sentence is useful for asking if someone knows the time using 今何時か.Tatoeba #4636745 by tommy_san, translation #2882528 by CK
- 今何時か分かりますか。Do you know what time it is now?Tatoeba #172526 by small_snow, translation #12556590 by CK
- すみません、今何時か分かりますか？Excuse me, do you know what time it is?This sentence is useful for a polite way to ask if someone knows the time using 今何時か.Tatoeba #3597773 by tommy_san, translation #3789181 by CK
- すみません、いま何時ですか？Excuse me, what time is it?
- 今、何時？What time is it now?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are waiting for a bus together.
- 美咲 Misaki健太くん、今何時か教えてくれる？Kenta-kun, ima nanji ka oshiete kureru?Kenta, can you tell me what time it is?
- 健太 Kentaええと、今は午後三時だよ。Eeto, ima wa gogo san-ji da yo.Let's see, it's 3 p.m. now.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとう。バスはもうすぐ来るね。Arigatou. Basu wa mousugu kuru ne.Thanks. The bus will be here soon.
- 健太 Kentaそうだね。もうすぐ来るはずだよ。Sou da ne. Mousugu kuru hazu da yo.Yeah. It should be here any minute.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
