N5Chapter 08

Time & Particle に

Learning Objectives

  • Tell the time in hours (じ) and minutes (ふん/ぷん).
  • Identify irregular readings for hours like 4, 7, and 9.
  • Use the particle に to mark the specific time an action happens.
  • Understand the cultural importance of punctuality in Japan.
N5 Context

Knowing how to tell time is one of the most practical skills you can learn in any language. In Japanese, the system is quite logical, but there are several irregular pronunciations you must master. In this chapter, we will learn the clock, the difference between AM and PM, and the essential particle に (ni), which acts like the English “at” in sentences like “I wake up at 7 o’clock.”

1. Telling the Hour: 〜じ (ji)

To say the hour, simply add じ (ji) to the number. Pay close attention to the irregulars!

Vocabulary12 terms

  • いちじ

    Time

    ichi-ji

    1:00

  • にじ

    Time

    ni-ji

    2:00

  • さんじ

    Time

    san-ji

    3:00

  • よじ

    Time

    yo-ji

    4:00 (IRREGULAR)

  • ごじ

    Time

    go-ji

    5:00

  • ろくじ

    Time

    roku-ji

    6:00

  • しちじ

    Time

    shichi-ji

    7:00 (IRREGULAR)

  • はちじ

    Time

    hachi-ji

    8:00

  • くじ

    Time

    ku-ji

    9:00 (IRREGULAR)

  • じゅうじ

    Time

    juu-ji

    10:00

  • じゅういちじ

    Time

    juu-ichi-ji

    11:00

  • じゅうにじ

    Time

    juu-ni-ji

    12:00

[!CAUTION]

  • 4 o’clock is yo-ji (never yon-ji or shi-ji).
  • 7 o’clock is shichi-ji (rarely nana-ji).
  • 9 o’clock is ku-ji (never kyuu-ji).

2. Telling Minutes: 〜ふん / 〜ぷん (fun / pun)

Minutes are a bit more complex because the pronunciation changes between fun and pun based on the previous sound.

  • 〜ぷん (pun): 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10
  • 〜ふん (fun): 2, 5, 7, 9
  • Half past: Use 〜じ はん (ji han).
Grammar Point
[Number] ＋ じ ＋ [Number] ＋ ふん/ぷん
MeaningExpressing a specific time on the clock.
Formation:
Hour + じ + Minute + ふん/ぷん
Examples (3)
Example

いま なんじ です か。

Ima nan-ji desu ka.

What time is it now?

Example

ごぜん はちじ です。

Gozen hachi-ji desu.

It is 8:00 AM.

Example

ごご さんじ じゅっぷん です。

Gogo san-ji juppun desu.

It is 3:10 PM.
Example

じゅうじ はん です。

Juu-ji han desu.

It is 10:30.
Example

ごぜん よじ じゅうごふん です。

Gozen yo-ji juu-go-fun desu.

It is 4:15 AM.
Example

ろくじ ごじゅっぷん です。

Roku-ji go-juppun desu.

It is 6:50.

3. The Time Particle: に (ni)

When an action happens at a specific point in time, you must use the particle に (ni).

Grammar Point
[Time] ＋ に ＋ [Action Verb]
MeaningAt [time], I do [action].
Formation:
Time + に + Verb
Examples (3)
Example

しちじ に おきます。

Shichi-ji ni okimasu.

I wake up at 7:00.

Example

じゅうにじ に ごはん を たべます。

Juu-ni-ji ni gohan o tabemasu.

I eat a meal at 12:00.

Example

じゅういちじ に ねます。

Juu-ichi-ji ni nemasu.

I go to sleep at 11:00.

[!TIP] When NOT to use に: Do not use に with relative time words like “today” (kyou), “tomorrow” (ashita), or “every day” (mainichi). Only use it for specific numbers/calendar points!

Example

くじ に だいがく へ いきます。

Ku-ji ni daigaku e ikimasu.

I go to the university at 9:00.
Example

どようび に パーティー が あります。

Doyoubi ni pātī ga arimasu.

There is a party on Saturday.
Example

なんじ に きます か。

Nan-ji ni kimasu ka.

What time will you come?

4. Cultural Note: Japanese Punctuality (時間に正確)

Japan is world-famous for its punctuality. This applies to trains, business meetings, and social gatherings.

  • The “5-Minute Rule”: It is often expected that you arrive 5 minutes before the scheduled time. Arriving exactly on time is sometimes considered “cutting it close.”
  • Train Precision: Japanese trains are so precise that if a train is delayed by more than a minute, the company may issue a “delay certificate” (chien-shoumeisho) for employees to show their bosses.
  • Social Respect: Being on time is seen as a sign of respect for the other person’s time. If you are going to be even 5 minutes late, it is polite to send a message immediately.

Conversation Practice

Planning a Meeting
Tanaka

すみません、 いま なんじ です か。

Sumimasen, ima nan-ji desu ka.

Excuse me, what time is it now?

Alice

ごご よじ じゅっぷん です。

Gogo yo-ji juppun desu.

It is 4:10 PM.

Tanaka

そうですか。 なんじ に かえります か。

Sou desu ka. Nan-ji ni kaerimasu ka.

I see. What time will you go home?

Alice

ろくじ はん に かえります。

Roku-ji han ni kaerimasu.

I will go home at 6:30.
Catching the Train
Staff

でんしゃ は くじ じゅうごふん です。

Densha wa ku-ji juu-go-fun desu.

The train is at 9:15.

Ken

あ！ いま くじ じゅっぷん です！

A! Ima ku-ji juppun desu!

Ah! It's 9:10 now!

Staff

いそいで ください！

Isoide kudasai!

Please hurry!

Ken

はい、 ありがとうございます！

Hai, arigatou gozaimasu!

Yes, thank you very much!

Chapter Summary

Key Takeaways
  • 1Hours are Number + じ (ji). Remember exceptions: 4 (yo-ji), 7 (shichi-ji), 9 (ku-ji).
  • 2Minutes are Number + ふん/ぷん (fun/pun). 'Half past' is 'han'.
  • 3Use 'gozen' for AM and 'gogo' for PM BEFORE the time.
  • 4The particle に (ni) marks the specific time an action happens (e.g., at 7:00).
  • 5Punctuality is a core value in Japanese culture; try to arrive 5 minutes early!

Knowledge Check

Test your clock-reading skills!

Practice Quiz
🧩

Quiz

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How do you say 4:00 in Japanese?