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:

時代は常に変化しています。

Jidai wa tsuneni henka shiteimasu

Times are always changing.

Times are constantly changing.

• 時代 (jidai) - means "era" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 常に (tsuneni) - adverb meaning "always"
• 変化 (henka) - noun that means "change" or "transformation"
• しています (shiteimasu) - compound verb indicating an ongoing action, in this case "is changing"

時刻を確認してください。

Jikoku wo kakunin shite kudasai

Check the time, please.

Please check the time.

• 時刻 - means "hour" or "time" in Japanese.
• を - direct object particle in Japanese.
• 確認 - means "confirm" in Japanese.
• してください - Japanese expression meaning "please do".

夜具は寝る時に必要なものです。

Yagu wa neru toki ni hitsuyou na mono desu

Bedding is necessary for sleeping.

It takes hours to sleep.

• 夜具 (yagu) - night equipment
• 寝る (neru) - sleep
• 時 (toki) - Hora
• に (ni) - particle indicating time
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - necessary
• な (na) - grammatical particle
• もの (mono) - thing
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

制限時間があります。

Seigen jikan ga arimasu

There is a time limit.

There is a time limit.

• 制限時間 - time limit
• が - subject particle
• あります - verb "exist" in polite form

保守的な考え方は時に必要です。

Hoshuteki na kangaekata wa toki ni hitsuyou desu

Conservative thinking is sometimes necessary.

Conservative thinking is sometimes necessary.

• 保守的な - conservative
• 考え方 - way of thinking
• は - Topic particle
• 時に - sometimes
• 必要 - necessary
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

何時に帰りますか？

Nanji ni kaerimasu ka?

What time are you coming home?

What time do you come back?

• 何時に - "What time"
• 帰ります - "I'm going back"
• か - "?"

人生は時に分かれる道を選ばなければならない。

Jinsei wa toki ni wakareru michi o erabanakereba naranai

Sometimes in life

Life must choose a path sometimes divided.

• 人生 (jinsei) - Life
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 時に (toki ni) - Sometimes
• 分かれる (wakareru) - divide
• 道 (michi) - Path
• を (wo) - object particle
• 選ばなければならない (erabanakereba naranai) - You must choose

一時の出来事を忘れないでください。

Ichiji no dekigoto wo wasurenai de kudasai

Please do not forget the temporary incident.

Do not forget the temporary event.

• 一時の出来事 - temporary event
• を - object particle
• 忘れないで - do not forget
• ください - Please

この新しいビジネスモデルの確立には時間がかかるでしょう。

Kono atarashii bijinesu moderu no kakuritsu ni wa jikan ga kakaru deshou

Establishing this new business model will take time.

• この (kono) - this
• 新しい (atarashii) - new
• ビジネスモデル (bijinesu moderu) - business model
• の (no) - of
• 確立 (kakuritsu) - establishment
• には (niwa) - require
• 時間 (jikan) - time
• がかかる (gakakaru) - will take
• でしょう (deshou) - probably

この腕時計を着けるのはとても簡単です。

Kono udedokei wo tsukeru no wa totemo kantan desu

Wearing this watch is very easy.

• この - this
• 腕時計 - Wristwatch
• を - direct object particle
• 着ける - use, place
• のは - particle that indicates topic
• とても - very
• 簡単 - easy
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present