Translation guide
In English, 'office hours' can refer to the regular working hours of a business or to designated times when someone (like a professor) is available for consultation. This guide covers both meanings and how to express them naturally in Japanese.
The standard times when a business, office, or service is open to the public.
Designated times when a professor, teacher, or professional is available for individual meetings or consultations.
営業時間 is for businesses open to the public (shops, restaurants). 執務時間 is for office work within an organization. 勤務時間 is from the employee's perspective, often used in labor law contexts.
オフィスアワー is only used for academic/professional consultation times. For regular business hours, use 営業時間.
The most common and neutral term for business hours, used for shops, restaurants, banks, etc.
Our office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Refers specifically to working hours within an office or administrative setting, often used in formal contexts.
I cannot answer the phone during office hours.
Refers to working hours from an employee's perspective, often used in labor contexts.
Office hours are eight hours.
Similar to 執務時間, but can be used for business operations in general. Somewhat formal.
We cannot handle requests outside of office hours.
The direct loanword from English, widely understood in academic settings. Often used for professors' consultation times.
The professor's office hours are on Tuesday afternoons.
Literally 'interview/consultation time', used for scheduled one-on-one meetings, often in educational or counseling contexts.
Please make an appointment for office hours.
General term for consultation hours, used in various professional settings like legal or medical consultations.
The lawyer's office hours are fee-based.
Specifically refers to the time a professor is present in their office/lab, often used in university settings. More literal and less common than オフィスアワー.
Office hours are posted on the door.