Translation guide
In Japanese, 'half an hour' is most naturally expressed as ３０分 (さんじゅっぷん / さんじっぷん) or 半時間 (はんじかん). The choice depends on context and formality.
Expressing a period of time lasting 30 minutes.
The most common and neutral way to say '30 minutes'. Can be used in almost any context. The reading さんじっぷん is also acceptable but less common.
ここから駅まで３０分かかります。
It takes half an hour from here to the station.
３０分ほど待ってください。
Please wait about half an hour.
Literally 'half an hour'. Less common than ３０分 but still used, especially in casual speech or when emphasizing the 'half' aspect.
半時間で着くよ。
I'll arrive in half an hour.
Explicitly marks the duration with 間 (かん). Used when you want to emphasize the length of time, similar to 'for 30 minutes'.
３０分間休憩しましょう。
Let's take a half-hour break.
Referring to a specific time, e.g., 'half past three'.
Attach 半 (はん) to the hour to mean 'half past'. This is the standard way to express 'half past X'.
会議は３時半に始まります。
The meeting starts at half past three.
６時半に起きた。
I woke up at half past six.
Using ３０分 after the hour is also correct, especially in formal announcements or timetables.
電車は１０時３０分発です。
The train departs at 10:30.
Expressing 'about half an hour' or 'around 30 minutes'.
Adding くらい (or ぐらい) after ３０分 makes it approximate. Very common in casual speech.
３０分くらい歩いた。
I walked for about half an hour.
ほど is slightly more formal than くらい but also means 'approximately'.
３０分ほどお待ちください。
Please wait about half an hour.
３０分 is the default and can be used in any situation. 半時間 is less common and sounds slightly more colloquial. In formal writing or speech, stick to ３０分 or ３０分間.
Do not say 半分の時間 (はんぶんのじかん) to mean 'half an hour'. That phrase means 'half of the time' in a proportional sense, not a 30-minute duration.
３０分で戻ります。
I'll be back in half an hour.
映画は７時半に始まります。
The movie starts at half past seven.