Translation and Meaning of: 時 - toki

The Japanese word 時[とき] is one of those that every language student encounters early in their journey. It carries deep meanings and varied uses, ranging from chronological time to emotional and philosophical moments. In this article, we will explore what makes this word so special, including its origin, translation, and how it is perceived in Japanese culture.

If you have ever wondered how the Japanese understand the concept of time or how this word appears in everyday expressions, you are in the right place. Here at Suki Nihongo, we aim to provide clear and precise explanations for those who want to truly master Japanese. Shall we get started?

The meaning and origin of 時[とき]

The word 時[とき] is often translated as "time" or "hour," but its meaning goes beyond that. It can refer to both a specific moment and a broader era. The kanji 時 is composed of the radical 日 (sun) and 寺 (temple), suggesting an ancient relationship with the measurement of time through the observation of the sun.

In the Japanese language, とき is used in contexts ranging from everyday language to more poetic expressions. Unlike Portuguese, where "tempo" can refer to both chronos (chronological time) and kairos (opportune moment), Japanese often uses 時 for both concepts, depending on the context.

How 時[とき] is used in modern Japanese

In daily life, Japanese people use とき to mark specific events or situations. Phrases like "その時" (at that moment) or "食事の時" (at mealtime) are common and demonstrate how the word is embedded in everyday communication. It also appears in fixed expressions, such as "時々" (sometimes) or "一時" (for a while).

It is worth noting that とき has a more subjective use than words like 時間 (jikan), which refers to chronological and measurable time. While 時間 is used for times and durations, とき captures the idea of significant moments or personal experiences. This nuance is important for those who want to sound natural when speaking Japanese.

The cultural perception of time through 時[とき]

In Japan, the word とき holds a worldview that values both precision and impermanence. On one hand, Japanese punctuality is famous, showing respect for others' time. On the other hand, concepts like "mono no aware" (the sensitivity to the transience of things) reveal an acceptance of the passage of time as something natural and even beautiful.

This duality appears in Japanese literature and cinema, where 時 often symbolizes both the inevitability of change and the importance of living in the present. Studio Ghibli films, for example, frequently explore this complex relationship with time, using とき as a bridge between the mundane and the philosophical.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 刻 (koku) - Moment, instant
• 時刻 (jikoku) - hour, specific moment in time
• 時間 (jikan) - time, duration; refers to time in general
• 時代 (jidai) - era, period; refers to a historical period
• 時期 (jiki) - period, phase; a specific part within a broader time frame
• 時点 (jiten) - point in time; a specific moment considered as a milestone
• 時候 (jikō) - season; refers to a time or period
• 時間帯 (jikan-tai) - time slot, defined period within the daily schedule
• 時間割 (jikanwari) - schedule, time management, especially in educational contexts
• 時計 (tokei) - watch; an instrument used to measure time
• 時間表 (jikan-hyō) - schedule table; visual representation of scheduled times
• 時間制限 (jikan seigen) - time limit; time-related restriction
• 時間差 (jikan sa) - difference in time; interval between two moments
• 時間的 (jikan-teki) - temporal; related to time
• 時間的な (jikan-teki na) - temporal; adjective related to time restrictions
• 時間的に (jikan-teki ni) - temporarily; related to a context of time
• 時間的要因 (jikan-teki yōin) - temporal factors; elements that affect the weather
• 時間的に限定される (jikan-teki ni gentei sareru) - temporarily limited; restrictions that occur over time
• 時間的に重要な (jikan-teki ni jūyō na) - temporarily important; something that holds relevance over time
• 時間的な制約 (jikan-teki na seiyaku) - time restriction; limitations related to time periods
• 時間的な制限 (jikan-teki na seigen) - time limitation; conditions that restrict the use of time
• 時間的な制約条件 (jikan-teki na seiyaku jōken) - temporal restriction conditions; criteria that define time limitations
• 時間的な制限事項 (jikan-teki na seigen jikō) - time restriction items; aspects that make up time limitations
• 時間的な制限要因 (jikan-teki na seigen yōin) - temporal limitations factors; causes that lead to time constraints
• 時間的な制約事項 (jikan-teki na seiyaku jikō) - time restriction items; aspects that define how the limitations should be applied
• 時間的な制約条件事項 (jikan-teki na seiyaku jōken jikō) - items of temporal restriction conditions; elements that establish the parameters of time limitations
• 時間的な制限条件 (jikan-teki na seigen jōken) - time limitation conditions; parameters that define time-related restrictions

時

Romaji: toki
Kana: とき
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: time; hour; occasion

Meaning in English: time;hour;occasion

Definition: The flow of a certain moment. unit of time.

Example Sentences - (時) toki

See below some example sentences:

深夜には静かな時間が流れる。

Shinya ni wa shizuka na jikan ga nagareru

during the dawn

Quiet time flows late at night.

• 深夜には - à noite tardia
• 静かな - calm
• 時間が - time
• 流れる - flow

食事は大切な時間です。

Shokuji wa taisetsu na jikan desu

The meal is an important moment.

Meals are an important moment.

• 食事 (shokuji) - It refers to a meal.
• は (wa) - Topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "食事".
• 大切 (taisetsu) - It means "important" or "valuable".
• な (na) - Particle that connects "大切" with "時間" and indicates that "大切" is an adjective.
• 時間 (jikan) - It means "time".
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense.

革命は時に必要です。

Kakumei wa toki ni hitsuyou desu

Revolution is necessary sometimes.

Revolution is sometimes necessary.

• 革命 (kakumei) - revolution
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 時に (toki ni) - sometimes
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - necessary
• です (desu) - verb "to be" in the formal present

酒場で友達と楽しい時間を過ごしました。

Sakaba de tomodachi to tanoshii jikan wo sugoshimashita

I had fun with my friends at the bar.

• 酒場 (sakaba) - bar/pub
• で (de) - Article indicating the location where an action takes place.
• 友達 (tomodachi) - amigo(s)
• と (to) - particle indicating "with"
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - divertido
• 時間 (jikan) - tempo/horas
• を (wo) - Article indicating the object of the action
• 過ごしました (sugoshimashita) - spent/had (a good time)

私たちは時に他人に頼る必要があります。

Watashitachi wa toki ni tanin ni tayoru hitsuyō ga arimasu

Sometimes

Sometimes we need to trust others.

• 私たちは - We
• 時に - Sometimes
• 他人に - In other people
• 頼る - Trust
• 必要があります - Is required

私たちは多くの時間を費やしてこのプロジェクトを完成させました。

Watashitachi wa ōku no jikan o tsuiyashte kono purojekuto o kansei sasemashita

We spent a lot of time and completed this project.

We spent a lot of time and completed this project.

• 私たちは (watashitachi wa) - We
• 多くの (ooku no) - Many
• 時間を (jikan o) - Time
• 費やして (tsuiyashite) - Expense
• この (kono) - This one
• プロジェクトを (purojekuto o) - project
• 完成させました (kansei sasemashita) - We concluded

私の時計は壊れました。

Watashi no tokei wa kowaremashita

My watch broke.

My watch was broken.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle indicating possession, equivalent to "my"
• 時計 - noun meaning "watch"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about"
• 壊れました - verb meaning "broke" or "is broken", conjugated in the past tense

消化には時間がかかる。

Shouka ni wa jikan ga kakaru

Digestion takes time.

It takes time to digest.

• 消化 (shouka) - digestion
• には (ni wa) - indication of time or place where something occurs
• 時間 (jikan) - time
• が (ga) - subject particle
• かかる (kakaru) - take time, delay

治療には時間がかかることがあります。

Chiryō ni wa jikan ga kakaru koto ga arimasu

Tratamento pode levar tempo.

Treatment can take time.

• 治療 - Tratamento médico
• には - particle that indicates the target or objective of the action
• 時間 - time
• がかかる - it takes time
• ことがあります - expression that indicates that something may happen

時間が掛かる。

Jikan ga kakaru

Takes time.

Takes time.

• 時間 (jikan) - time
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 掛かる (kakaru) - take time, delay