Translation guide
The English word 'hour' refers to a unit of time equal to 60 minutes. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 時間 (jikan), but the specific word used depends on whether you are talking about duration, clock time, or a specific point in time.
Expressing how long something takes or lasts, measured in hours.
Used as a counter for hours of duration. Attach a number before it.
The suffix form, showing how it attaches to numbers. Note that 4 hours is よじかん, not よんじかん.
４時間勉強した。
I studied for four hours.
１時間半かかります。
It takes an hour and a half.
Telling the time on a clock, as in 'It is 3 o'clock.'
Used for 'o'clock'. Attach a number before it. Note irregular readings: 4 o'clock is よじ, 7 o'clock is しちじ, 9 o'clock is くじ.
今、何時ですか。
What time is it now?
会議は３時からです。
The meeting is from 3 o'clock.
Referring to a particular hour as a point in time, often in formal or written contexts.
Means 'time' or 'hour' in a more formal sense, often used in schedules or announcements.
出発の時刻は午前８時です。
The departure time is 8 a.m.
Can also mean 'the hour' as in a point in time, but this usage is less common and often overlaps with 'time' in general.
Referring to a period of the day characterized by a particular activity.
Means 'time zone' or 'time period', used for blocks of time like rush hour or peak hours.
ラッシュアワーの時間帯は電車が混みます。
Trains are crowded during rush hour.
Loanword from English 'hour', used in specific compounds like 'rush hour' or 'happy hour'.
ハッピーアワーは５時からです。
Happy hour is from 5 o'clock.
Referring to the abstract unit of time, often in scientific or technical contexts.
The standard word for the unit 'hour'.
１時間は６０分です。
One hour is 60 minutes.
Use 時間 when talking about duration (e.g., 'for two hours'). Use 時 when telling clock time (e.g., 'at 3 o'clock').
２時間待った。
I waited for two hours.
２時に来てください。
Please come at 2 o'clock.
Saying '２時' means '2 o'clock', not 'two hours'. To express duration, always use 時間.
I was late for the appointed hour.