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:

勝敗は時に運命を決める。

Shōhai wa toki ni unmei o kimeru

Victory is sometimes destiny.

• 勝敗 - victory or defeat
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 時に - sometimes
• 運命 - destination
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 決める - decide

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

取り替えは必要な時に行うべきです。

Torikae wa hitsuyou na toki ni okonau beki desu

The replacement should be made when necessary.

• 取り替え - replacement
• は - Topic particle
• 必要 - Necessary
• な - auxiliary particle
• 時 - Time
• に - Particle indicating time or place
• 行う - to do
• べき - it should
• です - Verb to be in the present

同時に行動することが大切です。

Dōji ni kōdō suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act simultaneously.

It is important to act at the same time.

• 同時に - at the same time
• 行動する - act, take action
• こと - abstract noun
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

夕暮れ時の西日が美しいです。

Yuugureji no nishibi ga utsukushii desu

The west sun of the west is beautiful during twilight.

West day at dusk is beautiful.

• 夕暮れ時 - moment of dusk
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 西日 - sunlight that strikes from the west
• が - particle that indicates subject
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

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.

後退することは時に勝利することです。

Kōtai suru koto wa toki ni shōri suru koto desu

Retiring can sometimes be a win.

• 後退すること - go back
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 時に - sometimes
• 勝利すること - to win
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

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".

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