time
じかん
The word "jikan" refers to the concept of time as a measurable duration or a specific point in time. Mentally, visualize the steady ticking of a clock or the flow of moments passing by, which can be perceived as either a precious resource or a simple indicator of when an event occurs. In Japanese, "jikan" is used both to count hours (e.g., 1 hour = ichijikan) and to refer to "time" in a general abstract sense. It is highly versatile and used in almost every social register, whether you are asking for the time of day or discussing how much time you have to complete a task.
In conversation
Checking the time
今、何時？
What time is it now?
もうすぐ四時だよ。
It's almost four o'clock.
Casual way to ask for the time.
Running late
ごめん、時間がない！
Sorry, I have no time!
大丈夫、急ごう。
It's okay, let's hurry.
Using 'jikan ga nai' to express a lack of time.
Examples
時間は大切です。
じかんはたいせつです。
Time is precious.
会議の時間を変更しましょう。
かいぎのじかんをへんこうしましょう。
Let's change the time of the meeting.
長い時間をかけて準備しました。
ながいじかんをかけてじゅんびしました。
I spent a long time preparing.
