Japanese word

午前中

Pronunciation

Romajigozenchū

Meaning

  • nounin the morning

Example

午前中に公園へ行きます。go zen chū ni kō en e i ki ma su

I go to the park in the morning.

Illustration for 午前中 (in the morning)

More examples

午前中は図書館で勉強します。go zen chū wa to sho kan de ben kyō shi ma su

I study at the library in the morning.

Core concept

It marks the part of the day that runs from morning up to noon.

Common phrases

  • 午前中にgo zen chū ni

    in the morning

  • 午前中はgo zen chū wa

    in the morning

Similar words

午前gozen: The time before noon, often used in formal schedules and time expressions.
朝asa: The first part of the day, beginning after sunrise and lasting through the earlier hours.

Definition in Japanese

朝から正午までに及ぶ時間帯。asa ka ra shō go ma de ni oyo bu ji kan tai

Word origin

午前中 (gozenchū) is formed from 午前 (gozen, "before noon") and 中 (chū, "during"), expressing being within the period before noon.

Usage tips

  • 午前中 (gozenchū) is broader than "early morning" because it includes the later part of the morning before noon.

Other meanings

  • before noonnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word