Translation and Meaning of: 午前 - gozen

The Japanese word 午前 (ごぜん, gozen) is essential for anyone learning the language or interested in Japanese culture. It represents a simple yet fundamental concept in daily life: the morning period. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and practical use, as well as curiosities about how this word is perceived by the Japanese.

If you have already studied Japanese, you have probably come across 午前 in clocks, schedules, or even in animes. But do you know all the nuances of this expression? Let's find out how it originated, when to use it correctly, and why it is so present in everyday life in Japan.

Meaning and origin of 午前

午前 (gozen) literally means "before noon" and is used to refer to the morning period, usually between 12 AM and 12 PM. The word is composed of two kanji: 午 (go), which represents "noon" or "horse" (in the Chinese zodiac), and 前 (zen), which means "before". Together, they convey the idea of "before noon".

Interestingly, the kanji 午 was originally used in the traditional Japanese time system to mark noon. Over time, 午前 came to denote the whole morning, while 午後 (ごご, gogo) - "after noon" - indicates the afternoon and evening. This clear division of the day is fundamental in Japan, where punctuality is highly valued.

Everyday use and cultural importance

In Japan, 午前 is widely used in both formal and informal contexts. You will see it in work hours, public transportation, TV programs, and even in everyday conversations. For example, when a Japanese person schedules an appointment, it is common to specify 午前中 (ごぜんちゅう, gozenchuu) - "in the morning" - to clarify the time period.

Culturally, morning has a special meaning in Japan. Many Buddhist temples hold ceremonies at dawn, and the practice of 朝活 (あさかつ, asakatsu) - "morning activities" - has been gaining popularity. In this context, 午前 is not just a time marker but part of a lifestyle that values productivity and well-being from the early hours of the day.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An easy way to remember 午前 is to associate the kanji 前 (zen) with "before," since the morning occurs before noon. Another tip is to contrast it with its opposite, 午後 (gogo), which uses the same kanji 午 but with 後 (after). This semantic opposition helps solidify both terms in memory.

When using 午前, remember that it usually precedes the hour numbers. For example: 午前8時 (gozen hachiji) means "8 o'clock in the morning". Avoid confusing it with 朝 (あさ, asa), which also means "morning" but is more commonly used in general contexts, without reference to specific hours. This subtle distinction is important to sound natural in Japanese.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 朝 (Asa) - Morning
• 午前中 (Gozenchuu) - during the morning
• 朝方 (Asagata) - Morning (around the early morning)
• 朝早く (Asa hayaku) - Logo in the morning
• 朝一番 (Asa ichiban) - The first of the morning
• 朝のうち (Asa no uchi) - During the morning
• 朝の時間 (Asa no jikan) - Morning time
• 朝の部 (Asa no bu) - Morning (circumstance or event)
• 朝の初め (Asa no hajime) - Início da manhã
• 朝のスタート (Asa no sutaato) - Começo da manhã
• 朝の出発 (Asa no shuppatsu) - Morning match
• 朝の始め頃 (Asa no hajime goro) - Around the early morning
• 朝の初めに (Asa no hajime ni) - early in the morning
• 朝の最初 (Asa no saisho) - The earliest in the morning
• 朝の最初の時間 (Asa no saisho no jikan) - The first morning schedule
• 朝の最初の時刻 (Asa no saisho no jikoku) - The first moment of the morning

午前

Romaji: gozen
Kana: ごぜん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: morning; A.M.; AM

Meaning in English: morning;A.M.;am

Definition: Morning to afternoon schedule. Until 12:00.

Example Sentences - (午前) gozen

See below some example sentences:

午前中に会議があります。

Gozenchuu ni kaigi ga arimasu

There will be an early morning meeting.

There's a meeting in the morning.

• 午前中に - during the morning
• 会議が - meeting
• あります - there will be