Japanese word

時間

Pronunciation

Romajijikan

Meaning

  • nountime

Example

今日は時間があります。kyō wa ji kan ga a ri ma su

I have time today.

Illustration for 時間 (time)

More examples

公園で遊ぶ時間です。kō en de aso bu ji kan de su

It is time to play at the park.

宿題に時間がかかります。shuku dai ni ji kan ga ka ka ri ma su

Homework takes time.

Core concept

Describes the flow or measured span between events, and can refer either to time in general or to a period available for an activity.

Common phrases

  • 時間があるji kan ga a ru

    have time

  • 時間がないji kan ga na i

    have no time

  • 時間がかかるji kan ga ka ka ru

    take time

  • 時間を作るji kan o tsuku ru

    make time

  • 時間を守るji kan o mamo ru

    be punctual

Similar words

時刻jikoku: A specific point in time shown or measured by a clock.
時toki: A point or period when something happens.
期間kikan: A limited span from a starting point to an ending point.
暇hima: Free time when no work or other duty needs attention.

Definition in Japanese

時の流れや、ある時点から別の時点までの長さ。また、それを区切った一定の長さ。toki no naga re ya a ru ji ten ka ra betsu no ji ten ma de no naga sa ma ta so re o ku gi tta it tei no naga sa

Word origin

時間 (jikan) combines 時 (ji, "time") and 間 (kan, "interval"), forming a Sino-Japanese word for a span or passage of time.

Usage tips

  • The Japanese expression 時間がある (jikan ga aru) commonly means that someone has time available, rather than referring to a specific clock time.

Other meanings

  • hournoun

Word lists with this word