Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 4 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 4
Telling Time
Read and say clock times naturally in common daily situations.
Start with the example
。
It is now 7:30.
means half past the hour.
Notice the variation
。
Class starts at 9:00 a.m.
marks a morning time.
More detail: how to apply this
Japanese time expressions are direct and useful.
Start with hour + and add minutes when needed.
For half past, use .
Use and when you need to distinguish AM and PM.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Separate the start time from the end time before working out the duration.
gives the end, eleven. From ten to eleven is one hour.
。
Monday's meeting is from ten to eleven.
Separate the start time from the end time before working out the duration.
Showing Try this approach: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
It is now 7:30.
means half past the hour.
Vocabulary notes
- いま
- now
- 七時半
- 7:30
Compare in context
。
Class starts at 9:00 a.m.
marks a morning time.
Vocabulary notes
- 午前九時
- 9:00 a.m.
- はじまります
- starts; begins (polite)
Compare in context
。
Dinner is at 6:00 p.m.
marks an afternoon or evening time.
Vocabulary notes
- ばんごはん
- dinner
- 午後六時
- 6:00 p.m.
Section 2 of 4
Making a Daily Schedule
Making a Daily Schedule
Start with the example
。
I wake up at six.
Specific clock times usually take .
Notice the variation
。
I study from eight to nine.
... gives the full study span.
More detail: how to apply this
Use time words with to mark when an action happens.
When several actions are described, place them in natural order from waking up to sleeping.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
I wake up at six.
Specific clock times usually take .
。
I wake up at six.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: I wake up at six.
Showing Making a Daily Schedule: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
I wake up at six.
Specific clock times usually take .
Vocabulary notes
- 六時
- 6 o'clock
- おきます
- wake up (polite)
Preview
。
I study from eight to nine.
... gives the full study span.
Vocabulary notes
- べんきょうします
- study
Preview
。
I go to sleep at eleven.
Daily schedules often end with a simple routine verb.
Vocabulary notes
- 十一時
- eleven o'clock
- ねます
- sleep; go to bed (polite)
Section 3 of 4
Reading in Context
Separate the start time from the end time before working out the duration.
Reading in Context
。
Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue
The meeting belongs to Monday. That weekday does not tell you its duration by itself.
Step 1: Notice the clue
More detail: the reading method
Time language appears in daily schedules, school timetables, and appointment messages.
Read the time first, then connect it to the activity.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
A: What time are you going? B: I am going at seven.
comes before : means at seven. The answer repeats the same time-plus-particle pattern.
A: 。 B: 。
A: What time are you going? B: I am going at seven.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: A: What time are you going? B: I am going at seven.
Showing Reading in Context: Everyday words.
More examples
Target signal
A: 。 B: 。
A: What time are you going? B: I am going at seven.
comes before : means at seven. The answer repeats the same time-plus-particle pattern.
Vocabulary notes
- いきます
- go
- 七時
- seven o’clock
Preview
。
Monday's meeting is from ten to eleven.
Time ranges are common in meeting and timetable lines.
Vocabulary notes
- 月曜日
- Monday
- ミーティング
- meeting
- 十一時
- eleven o'clock
Section 4 of 4
Compare the meaning
Use the contrast to make a decision. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Example A
Example B
Your turn · decide before revealing
How do these two examples change the meaning?
More detail: what changes and why
Compare and .
after the hour adds thirty minutes to that hour.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?
after the hour adds thirty minutes to that hour.
How do these two examples change the meaning?
Supported meaning: Three o'clock / three thirty
Use the sentence to choose between these interpretations; do not add information that is only in an answer choice.
Showing Compare the meaning: Everyday words.