Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
Telling Time
Japanese time expressions are direct and useful. Start with hour + 時 and add minutes when needed. For half past, use 半. Use 午前 and 午後 when you need to distinguish AM and PM.
Target signal
いまは 七時半です。
It is now 7:30.
半 means half past the hour.
Vocabulary notes
- 七時半
- 7:30
- いま
- now
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Compare in context
授業は 午前九時に はじまります。
Class starts at 9:00 a.m.
午前 marks a morning time.
Vocabulary notes
- はじまります
- starts; begins (polite)
- 午前九時
- 9:00 a.m.
- ます
- polite verb ending
Compare in context
ばんごはんは 午後六時です。
Dinner is at 6:00 p.m.
午後 marks an afternoon or evening time.
Vocabulary notes
- ばんごはん
- dinner
- 午後六時
- 6:00 p.m.
- ごはん
- meal; rice
Section 2 of 3
Making a Daily Schedule
Use time words with に to mark when an action happens. When several actions are described, place them in natural order from waking up to sleeping.
Target signal
六時に おきます。
I wake up at six.
Specific clock times usually take に.
Vocabulary notes
- おきます
- wake up (polite)
- ます
- polite verb ending
- 六時
- 6 o'clock
Preview
八時から 九時まで べんきょうします。
I study from eight to nine.
から ... まで gives the full study span.
Vocabulary notes
- べんきょうします
- study
- べんきょう
- study; studying
- きょう
- today
Preview
十一時に ねます。
I go to sleep at eleven.
Daily schedules often end with a simple routine verb.
Vocabulary notes
- ねます
- sleep; go to bed (polite)
- 十一時
- eleven o'clock
- ます
- polite verb ending
Section 3 of 3
Reading in Context
Time language appears in daily schedules, school timetables, and appointment messages. Read the time first, then connect it to the activity.
Target signal
A: 何時に いきますか。 B: 七時に いきます。
A: What time are you going? B: I am going at seven.
The answer repeats the time after に.
Vocabulary notes
- いきます
- go
- ます
- polite verb ending
- 七時
- seven o’clock
Preview
月曜日の ミーティングは 十時から 十一時までです。
Monday's meeting is from ten to eleven.
Time ranges are common in meeting and timetable lines.
Vocabulary notes
- ミーティング
- meeting
- 十一時
- eleven o'clock
- 月曜日
- Monday