Translation guide
The abbreviation 'PM' can refer to time (post meridiem), a prime minister, or a private message. This guide covers how to express each meaning naturally in Japanese.
Expressing the time period from noon to midnight, or a specific time in the afternoon/evening.
The standard word for 'PM' or 'afternoon'. Used before the hour to indicate a PM time.
午後3時です。
It's 3 PM.
会議は午後2時からです。
The meeting is from 2 PM.
Refers to early evening, roughly from sunset to nightfall. Not a direct translation of 'PM', but used when specifying a time in the evening.
夕方の6時に会いましょう。
Let's meet at 6 PM (in the evening).
Means 'night'. Used for times after dark, often from around 7 PM onwards.
夜の8時です。
It's 8 PM (at night).
Referring to the head of government in a parliamentary system, especially Japan's.
The standard term for 'prime minister'. Used for Japan and other countries.
日本の首相は誰ですか？
Who is the PM of Japan?
首相が記者会見を行った。
The PM held a press conference.
Common abbreviation of 総理大臣, used in news and conversation.
Sending a direct, non-public message to someone on social media or chat platforms.
The most common term in Japanese online slang, borrowed from 'direct message'. Used as a noun or verb (DMする).
DMで送ってください。
Please send it via PM.
あとでDMするね。
I'll PM you later.
Literally 'individual message'. Less common than DM but understood.
質問は個別メッセージでお願いします。
Please send questions via PM.
午後 (ごご) is the direct equivalent of PM and covers the entire afternoon from 12:00 to 23:59. 夕方 (ゆうがた) refers to early evening (around sunset), and 夜 (よる) means night. Use 午後 for exact times, and 夕方/夜 for approximate periods.
午後7時 vs. 夜の7時
7 PM (neutral) vs. 7 at night (emphasizing nighttime)
The English abbreviation 'PM' is not widely understood in Japanese outside of specific contexts like train schedules. Always use 午後 or the appropriate time word.
会議は午後2時に始まります。
The meeting starts at 2 PM.
詳細をDMで送ります。
I'll send you a PM with the details.
首相が国民に向けて演説した。
The PM addressed the nation.
A more formal or full title, often used in official contexts. Abbreviated as 総理 (そうり).
安倍総理大臣が辞任した。
PM Abe resigned.
PM, what are your thoughts on this policy?
Direct translation of 'private message'. Used occasionally but sounds slightly formal or technical.
プライベートメッセージを送りました。
I sent a PM.