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:

愉快な時間を過ごしましょう。

Yukai na jikan wo sugoshimashou

Let's have a nice time.

Let's have fun.

• 愉快な (yukai na) - Pleasant, fun
• 時間 (jikan) - time, hour
• を (o) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 過ごしましょう (sugoshimashou) - let's pass, let's enjoy

所定の時間に会議を開始します。

Shotei no jikan ni kaigi o kaishi shimasu

Let's start the meeting at the designated time.

We will start the meeting at the prescribed time.

• 所定の時間 (shotei no jikan) - designated time
• に (ni) - particle indicating time
• 会議 (kaigi) - meeting
• を (wo) - particle indicating direct object
• 開始します (kaishi shimasu) - start

操作を覚えるのに時間がかかることがあります。

Sōsa o oboeru no ni jikan ga kakaru koto ga arimasu

It may take some time to learn the operation.

• 操作 (sousa) - action, operation
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 覚える (oboeru) - remember, memorize
• のに (noni) - conjunction indicating a condition or reason
• 時間 (jikan) - time, hour
• が (ga) - subject particle
• かかる (kakaru) - take time, delay
• こと (koto) - abstract noun, in this case "fact"
• が (ga) - subject particle
• あります (arimasu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

新入生は新しい環境に慣れるのに時間がかかることがあります。

Shinnyūsei wa atarashii kankyō ni nareru no ni jikan ga kakaru koto ga arimasu

New students can take time to get used to a new environment.

• 新入生 - "new students"
• は - it is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "new students".
• 新しい - means "new" in Japanese.
• 環境 - It means "environment" in Japanese.
• に - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the direction or target of the action, in this case "to" the new environment.
• 慣れる - It means "to get used to" in Japanese.
• のに - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates a condition or a reason, in this case "to" get used to the new environment.
• 時間 - "tempo" means "time" in Japanese.
• がかかる - it's a Japanese expression that means "to take time" or "to be necessary time".
• こと - it is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates an action or an event, in this case "to take time".
• あります - It is a polite way to say "there is" or "there are" in Japanese.

時間に限る。

Jikan ni kagiru.

Time is limited

Limited to time.

• 時間 (jikan) - time
• に (ni) - Particle that indicates destination or location
• 限る (kagiru) - limit, restrict

時間が過ぎるのは早いですね。

Jikan ga sugiru no wa hayai desu ne

Time goes by fast

Time passes quickly.

• 時間 (jikan) - time
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 過ぎる (sugiru) - spend time)
• のは (no wa) - Topic particle
• 早い (hayai) - fast, early
• です (desu) - Verb to be
• ね (ne) - confirmation particle

時間が迫る。

Jikan ga semaru

Time is approaching.

• 時間 - time
• が - subject particle
• 迫る - approach, press, threaten

溝を埋めるには時間がかかる。

Mizo wo umeru ni wa jikan ga kakaru

It takes time to fill the rhythm.

• 溝 (mizo) - means "ditch" or "channel"
• を (wo) - object particle
• 埋める (umeru) - means "fill" or "bury"
• には (niwa) - particle that indicates a condition or requirement
• 時間 (jikan) - means "time"
• が (ga) - subject particle
• かかる (kakaru) - means "to take time" or "to take a long time"

短縮することで時間を節約できます。

Tanshuku suru koto de jikan wo setsuyaku dekimasu

You can save time by going down.

• 短縮する - shorten, reduce
• ことで - Through, by means of
• 時間 - time
• を - direct object particle
• 節約 - economy, savings
• できます - it can be done, it is possible

私は自分自身を篭って考える時間が必要です。

Watashi wa jibun jishin o komotte kangaeru jikan ga hitsuyōdesu

I need time to collect myself and think.

I need time to think and think about myself.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 自分自身 (jibun jishin) - expression meaning "oneself"
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
• 篭って (kagotte) - gerund verb meaning "to be isolated"
• 考える (kangaeru) - verb meaning "to think"
• 時間 (jikan) - noun meaning "time"
• が (ga) - subject particle that indicates who performs the action
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - adjective meaning "necessary"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality