Learn basic Japanese vocabulary related to time
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| カレンダー (karendā) |
| 時間 (jikan) |
| 秒 (byō) |
| What do these words mean? Stick around. |
| In this quick lesson, you’ll learn Japanese time-related words. |
| But first, do you know how Japanese people use calendars to predict their luck? |
| Keep watching for the answer at the end. |
| 秒 (byō) |
| "second" |
| [SLOW] 秒 (byō) |
| 秒 (byō) |
| In Japan, countdowns at events or fireworks festivals often sound like this: |
| 「５秒前！…４！…３！…２！…１！…ゼロー！」‘Five seconds to go... four, three, two, one… zero!’" |
| Steve and Jack prepare to warm up pizza. |
| Steve: ピザ、どのくらい温めますか。 (Piza, dono kurai atatamemasu ka.) |
| Jack: ちょうど十秒で、お願いします。 (Chōdo jū-byō de, onegai shimasu.) |
| 分 (fun) |
| "minute" |
| [SLOW] 分 (fun) |
| 分 (fun) |
| In Japanese, this counter is read as “ふん” or “ぷん” depending on the number it follows. |
| Lina reminds Susan about a concert's start time. |
| Lina: そろそろ出かけた方がいいです。ショーは45分後です。 Sorosoro dekaketa hō ga ii desu. Shō wa yon-jū go-fun go desu.) |
| Susan: 急ぎましょう。 (Isogimashō.) |
| 時間 (jikan) |
| "hour" |
| [SLOW] 時間 (jikan) |
| 時間 (jikan) |
| Now we are in 日本語の勉強の時間です: time for learning Japanese!" |
| Steve and Jack rush to finish an important project. |
| Steve: 一日は24時間しかありません。急がないといけません。 (Ichi-nichi wa ni-jū-yojikan shika arimasen. Isoganai to ikemasen.) |
| Jack: 30時間だったらよかったのに。 (San-jū-jikan dattara yokatta noni.) |
| 時 (ji) |
| "o'clock" |
| [SLOW] 時 (ji) |
| 時 (ji) |
| You might also hear this kanji pronounced as 時（とき). This version is used to describe when something happens—a moment or period in time—often connecting two actions. For example: 食べるとき (when eating), 寝る時 (when sleeping). It gives context to actions. It’s more flexible than 時（じ), which is used more like a time counter, as in 3時 (three o’clock). |
| Oscar and Tom set a meeting time for a photo shoot. |
| Oscar: ３時に会いましょう。 (San-ji ni aimashō.) |
| Tom: 分かりました。時間通りに行きます。 (Wakarimashita. Wakarimashita. Jikandōri ni ikimasu.) |
| カレンダー (karendā) |
| "calendar" |
| [SLOW] カレンダー (karendā) |
| カレンダー (karendā) |
| Although カレンダー is the most common way to say 'calendar' in Japanese, you can also use the traditional word 暦 (koyomi). |
| Eri reminds Yoko of an important date. |
| Eri: カレンダーに次のコミュニティミーティングの日に印をつけてください。 (Karendā ni tsugi no komyuniti mītingu no hi ni shirushi o tsukete kudasai.) |
| Yoko: はい、今、つけます。 (Hai, ima, tsukemasu.) |
| 時計 (tokei) |
| "clock" |
| [SLOW] 時計 (tokei) |
| 時計 (tokei) |
| A regular clock is 時計, but you will also come across other types of clocks, like 柱時計 (grandfather clock) or 腕時計 (wristwatch). Pay attention to the sound change for と: 時計、柱時計、腕時計. |
| Kaname points out the time to Aya. |
| Kaname: 時計を見てください。もうすぐシフトが始まるんじゃないですか。 (Tokei o mite kudasai. Mōsugu shifuto ga hajimaru n ja nai desu ka.) |
| Aya: あ！急がないといけません！ (A! Isoganai to ikemasen!) |
| Let's review. |
| You'll see the words in English and your job is to say the words in Japanese. |
| Ready? |
| Do you remember how to say "second"? |
| 秒 (byō) |
| 秒 (byō) |
| And how to say "minute"? |
| 分 (fun) |
| 分 (fun) |
| What about "hour"? |
| 時間 (jikan) |
| 時間 (jikan) |
| Now, let's see if you remember how to say "o'clock." |
| 時 (ji) |
| 時 (ji) |
| Let's try "calendar"! |
| カレンダー (karendā) |
| カレンダー (karendā) |
| And finally, do you remember how to say "clock"? |
| 時計 (tokei) |
| 時計 (tokei) |
| Do you know how Japanese people use calendars to predict their luck? |
| In Japan, some calendars include 六曜 (rokuyō), which are traditional labels for each day that predict whether it's a lucky or unlucky day. This helps people decide on the best days for important events, like moving house or getting married! |
| Thanks for watching! Don't forget to practice these new words and phrases, and see you next time! |
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