What you will learn on this page
- The basic meaning and nuance of the kanji 「時」
- JLPT level and stroke count
- Main readings: とき (toki), じ (ji)
- Common words like 時間, 一時, 時々
- Easy example sentences with English translations
- Typical mistakes learners make with 「時」
1. Basic info
- Kanji: 時
- Meaning (simple): time, when
- JLPT level: N5
- Stroke count: 10
- On-yomi (Chinese-derived reading): ジ (ji)
- Kun-yomi (native Japanese reading): とき (toki)
2. Easy explanation (for beginners)
The kanji 「時」 means a point in time or “when” something happens.
It is used for:
- clock time (what time is it?)
- periods in life (when I was a child, at that time)
You will see it in words like 時間 (time), 一時 (one o’clock) and 時々 (sometimes).
3. Readings and usage
3-1. Kun-yomi: とき (toki)
Used when talking about a situation or period in life – similar to “when” or “at the time”.
Example sentences:
- Japanese: 子どもの時、よく公園で遊びました。
- Reading (Kana): こどもの とき、よく こうえんで あそびました。
- English: When I was a child, I often played in the park.
- Japanese: 忙しい時はメールをあとで読みます。
- Reading (Kana): いそがしい ときは メールを あとで よみます。
- English: When I am busy, I read emails later.
3-2. On-yomi: ジ (ji)
Used for clock time and time-related words.
Example words:
- 一時【いちじ】 – one o’clock
- 七時【しちじ】 – seven o’clock
- 時間【じかん】 – time; hours
Example sentence:
- Japanese: 今は何時ですか。
- Reading (Kana): いまは なんじ ですか。
- English: What time is it now?
4. Example vocabulary list
| Kanji word | Reading | Meaning (English) |
|---|---|---|
| 時 | とき | time; when |
| 一時 | いちじ | one o’clock |
| 時間 | じかん | time; hours |
| 時々 | ときどき | sometimes |
| その時 | そのとき | at that time |
5. Example sentences
Sentence 1
- Japanese: 今は何時ですか。
- Reading (Kana): いまは なんじ ですか。
- English: What time is it now?
Sentence 2
- Japanese: 子どもの時、よく公園で遊びました。
- Reading (Kana): こどもの とき、よく こうえんで あそびました。
- English: When I was a child, I often played in the park.
Sentence 3
- Japanese: 時々、日本語のドラマを見ます。
- Reading (Kana): ときどき、にほんごの ドラマを みます。
- English: I sometimes watch Japanese dramas.
6. Common mistakes & tips
Common mistakes
- Reading all words with 「時」 as only じ, even when とき is correct.
- Confusing 時（とき） and 時間（じかん） and using them in the wrong place.
- Forgetting that 「時」 can mean both “when” and “o’clock” depending on the word.
Study tips
- Simple rule:
- “when / at that time” → とき
- “o’clock / hours” → じ / じかん
- Make your own timetable in Japanese and write sentences like:
- 七時に起きます。 (I get up at 7 o’clock.)
- 九時に日本語を勉強します。 (I study Japanese at 9.)
7. Related kanji
- 日 – “day”. Combine 日 and 時 to talk about when something happens.
- 月 – “month”. Used together with 時 to talk about time periods.
- 年 – “year”. 日, 月, 年 and 時 are the core kanji for talking about time.