Translation and Meaning of: 時間 - jikan

The Japanese word 時間[じかん] is one of those that every language learner encounters early on, but it holds fascinating nuances about how the Japanese perceive and organize time. In this article, we will explore its literal meaning, everyday uses, and even how it reflects cultural aspects of Japan. If you have ever wondered why this word appears so often in animes, series, or even in formal conversations, you will find the answer here.

In addition to being essential for scheduling meetings or planning the day, 時間 carries an interesting relationship with Japanese precision and discipline. Let's see how it differs from similar terms, its historical origins, and even tips to memorize it without confusion. Get ready to understand why this word goes far beyond a simple "time".

Meaning and everyday usage of 時間

Translated directly as "time" or "hour," 時間[じかん] is used for both chronological periods ("I have two free hours") and specific moments ("What time is it?"). Unlike English, where "time" and "hour" are separate words, Japanese uses the same term for both concepts, requiring attention to context.

In everyday situations, you will hear 時間 in phrases like 時間がありますか (Do you have time?) or 時間が足りない (There is not enough time). The word also frequently appears at train stations, as the Japanese are known for their punctuality. A curious detail: in formal contexts, such as work meetings, it is common to specify 開始時間 (start time) and 終了時間 (end time) with precision.

The origin and the kanjis of 時間

The composition of 時間 reveals much about its meaning. The first kanji, 時, represents "time" or "hour," while 間 means "interval" or "space between." Together, they form the idea of "space of time," something that flows between two points. This notion of temporality as something measurable and divisible is central to the Japanese language.

Historically, 時間 gained popularity during the Meiji Era (1868-1912), when Japan adopted the Western time system. Before that, the Japanese used divisions of the day based on natural cycles, such as sunrise and sunset. The kanji 時, for example, originally represented the movement of the sun (日) over the earth (土), reinforcing this ancient connection with nature.

Tips for memorizing and avoiding confusion

A common difficulty for students is to differentiate 時間 from 時刻[じこく], which specifically refers to a point on the clock (e.g., "It is 3:15"). To remember, think that 時間 is about duration ("I watched a movie for two hours"), while 時刻 is a fixed moment ("The train leaves at 7:30"). This distinction is crucial to avoid misunderstandings.

A useful technique is to associate the kanji 間 with "space" – after all, you measure a "space of time." Another tip is to create flashcards with practical sentences like 勉強する時間です (It's time to study). According to research on vocabulary acquisition, this contextual method increases retention by up to 40% compared to memorizing isolated words.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 時刻 (jikoku) - Specific time or moment.
• 期間 (kikan) - Duration or time interval.
• 期限 (kigen) - Deadline or time limit for a task.
• 時代 (jidai) - Era or historical period.
• 時期 (jiki) - Period or phase in a specific time.
• 期末 (kimatsu) - End of an academic period.
• 時間帯 (jikan-tai) - Time slot or specific period of the day.
• 時間制限 (jikan seigen) - Time limit imposed on activities.
• 時間外 (jikan-gai) - Outside of regular hours.
• 時間割 (jikanwari) - Class schedule or timetable.
• 時間表 (jikan-hyou) - Tabela de horários.
• 時間短縮 (jikan tanshuku) - Reduction of time needed for a task.
• 時間調整 (jikan chousei) - Time adjustment for event coordination.
• 時間管理 (jikan kanri) - Gestão do tempo.
• 時間割り当て (jikan wariate) - Allocation of time to different tasks or activities.
• 時間帯別設定 (jikan-tai betsu settei) - Differentiated configuration by time slot.
• 時間帯変更 (jikan-tai henko) - Change of time slots.
• 時間帯別予約 (jikan-tai betsu yoyaku) - Differentiated reservations by time slot.
• 時間帯別利用 (jikan-tai betsu riyou) - Differentiated use by time slot.

時間

Romaji: jikan
Kana: じかん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: time

Meaning in English: time

Definition: Time: A physical concept that describes the context and the elapsed interval of events.

Example Sentences - (時間) jikan

See below some example sentences:

レジャーは私たちの生活に必要なリフレッシュの時間です。

Rejā wa watashitachi no seikatsu ni hitsuyōna rifureshu no jikan desu

Leisure is a refreshing time necessary for our lives.

• レジャー - lazer
• は - Topic particle
• 私たち - we
• の - Possession particle
• 生活 - life
• に - Location particle
• 必要 - necessary
• な - adjective particle
• リフレッシュ - refreshment
• の - Possession particle
• 時間 - time
• です - to be (state verb)

一定の時間が必要です。

Ittei no jikan ga hitsuyou desu

You need some time.

• 一定の (ittei no) - It means "defined".
• 時間 (jikan) - means "time"
• が (ga) - grammatical particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - It means "necessary".
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form

一日一生の大切な時間です。

Ichinichi isshou no taisetsu na jikan desu

A day is an important moment in life.

It is an important moment for a lifetime.

• 一日 (ichinichi) - um dia
• 一生 (isshou) - a lifetime
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important
• な (na) - adjective particle
• 時間 (jikan) - time
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

休憩時間が必要です。

Kyūkei jikan ga hitsuyō desu

We need time to rest.

You need a breakout time.

• 休憩時間 - Rest time
• が - subject particle
• 必要 - necessary
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

僅かな時間しかありません。

Wazuka na jikan shika arimasen

I only have a little time.

• 僅かな - adjective meaning "little", "scarce".
• 時間 - noun meaning "time".
• しか - particle indicating "only", "solely".
• ありません - verb in the negative form meaning "there is not", "there is not".

傷ついた心は癒えるまで時間がかかる。

Kizutsuita kokoro wa ieru made jikan ga kakaru

A heart wound takes time to heal.

The wounded heart takes time to heal.

• 傷ついた - bruised, injured
• 心 - heart, mind
• は - Topic particle
• 癒える - heal
• まで - up until
• 時間 - time
• がかかる - takes time, requires time

半分の時間が経ちました。

Hanbun no jikan ga tachimashita

Half the time has passed.

The middle of the time has passed.

• 半分 (hanbun) - half
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 時間 (jikan) - time, hour
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 経ちました (tachimashita) - passed, took place

彼は慈善活動に多くの時間とお金を施しています。

Kare wa jizen katsudō ni ōku no jikan to okane o hodokoshite imasu

He devotes a lot of time and money to charity.

He spends a lot of time and money in charity activities.

• 彼 - Japanese pronoun meaning "he".
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 慈善活動 - Japanese word that means "charitable activities".
• に - Japanese particle that indicates the purpose or target of the action.
• 多く - Japanese adverb that means "very".
• の - Japanese particle indicating possession or relationship.
• 時間 - Japanese word that means "time".
• と - Japanese particle that indicates joint or simultaneous action.
• お金 - Japanese word that means "money".
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the action.
• 施しています - Japanese verb that means "to donate" or "to contribute," conjugated in the present continuous.

怠けると時間が無駄になる。

Namakeru to jikan ga muda ni naru

If you are lazy, your time will be wasted.

• 怠ける - verb that means "to be lazy"
• と - a particle that indicates a cause and effect relationship, in this case, "if"
• 時間 - noun meaning "time"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "time"
• 無駄 - noun that means "unnecessary," "useless"
• に - particle that indicates the state or condition of something, in this case, "in"
• なる - verb meaning "to become"
• . - period indicating the end of the sentence

悠々とした時間が流れる。

Yuuyuu to shita jikan ga nagareru

A smooth time flows.

• 悠々とした - It means "serene" or "calm".
• 時間 - It means "time".
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 流れる - It means "flow" or "pass".