[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-article-local-japanese-time-expressions":3,"$fHZsWYl_LcdVZ5GxKwtR-ZqvCZbbUdo2_Fi6R_GQKiQM":4,"blog-article-cms-japanese-time-expressions":6,"article-hreflang-japanese-time-expressions":1220,"blog-article-related-japanese-time-expressions":1221},null,{"approximate_member_count":5},20559,{"id":7,"documentId":8,"title":9,"description":10,"timestampUnix":11,"slug":12,"h1":13,"image":14,"tags":20,"lang":3,"body":25,"createdAt":1214,"updatedAt":1215,"publishedAt":1216,"category":1217,"featured":1218,"timestamp":1219,"locale":-1,"_dir":1217},1728,"zstb8afw9wxuwj4rco5gk1w6","Japanese Time Expressions: Complete Grammar Guide","When to use particle ni with time words? How to tell time, and express schedules naturally in Japanese? Clear rules with practical examples.","1767212220000","japanese-time-expressions","Japanese Time Expressions: Complete Grammar Guide on Date and Time",{"alt":15,"src":16,"width":17,"height":18,"previewOnly":19},"Expressing time in Japanese - Banner","https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002FScreenshot_2026_01_07_161006_c7dd94074d\u002FScreenshot_2026_01_07_161006_c7dd94074d.png",1000,495,false,[21,22,23,24],"fundamentals","vocabulary","phrases","grammar",{"data":26,"body":29,"toc":1203},{"title":27,"description":28},"","Learning how to express time when studying Japanese can feel tricky at first. You've got particles to worry about, different counting systems, and rules that seem to contradict each other. But here's the thing: once you understand the basic patterns, it all clicks into place pretty quickly. We'll break down exactly how this works, plus cover everything else you need to know about expressing time naturally in Japanese.",{"type":30,"children":31},"root",[32,51,55,59,66,71,76,127,151,156,213,224,229,256,279,282,288,299,316,332,380,402,412,485,490,501,523,545,548,554,559,568,589,594,630,647,652,655,661,666,674,684,695,698,704,717,736,786,802,850,870,880,945,955,1012,1015,1021,1026,1047,1067,1088,1098,1118,1128,1133,1136,1142,1147,1152,1157,1164,1170,1173,1179,1184,1198],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":35,"children":36},"element","p",{},[37,40,49],{"type":38,"value":39},"text","Learning how to express time when ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":42,"children":46},"a",{"href":43,"rel":44},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Flearn-japanese",[45],"nofollow",[47],{"type":38,"value":48},"studying Japanese",{"type":38,"value":50}," can feel tricky at first. You've got particles to worry about, different counting systems, and rules that seem to contradict each other. But here's the thing: once you understand the basic patterns, it all clicks into place pretty quickly. We'll break down exactly how this works, plus cover everything else you need to know about expressing time naturally in Japanese.",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":53,"children":54},"toc",{},[],{"type":33,"tag":56,"props":57,"children":58},"hr",{},[],{"type":33,"tag":60,"props":61,"children":63},"h2",{"id":62},"the-particle-に-ni-when-to-use-it-and-when-to-skip-it",[64],{"type":38,"value":65},"The particle に (Ni): When to use it and when to skip it",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":67,"children":68},{},[69],{"type":38,"value":70},"This is where most people get stuck when they learn Japanese. The particle に attaches to specific, concrete points in time. Think of it as pinpointing an exact moment on a timeline.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":72,"children":73},{},[74],{"type":38,"value":75},"You use に with:",{"type":33,"tag":77,"props":78,"children":79},"ol",{},[80,94,105,116],{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":82,"children":83},"li",{},[84,86,92],{"type":38,"value":85},"Specific times of day: ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":88,"children":91},"typo",{"lang":89,"syntax":90},"ja","{3}時[さんじ;n2]に",[],{"type":38,"value":93}," means \"at 3 o'clock.\" If you're saying you'll meet someone at a particular time, you need に.",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":95,"children":96},{},[97,99,103],{"type":38,"value":98},"Days of the week: ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":100,"children":102},{"lang":89,"syntax":101},"月曜日[げつようび;n3] に",[],{"type":38,"value":104}," means \"on Monday.\" When you're talking about a specific day, に marks it clearly. Check out our guide on Japanese days of the week for more details on this.",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":106,"children":107},{},[108,110,114],{"type":38,"value":109},"Dates and months: ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":111,"children":113},{"lang":89,"syntax":112},"{5}月[つき;o]{3}日[ひ;h] に",[],{"type":38,"value":115}," means \"on May 3rd.\" Any specific date gets the に treatment. Our article on months and dates in Japanese covers the full system.",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":117,"children":118},{},[119,121,125],{"type":38,"value":120},"Years: ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":122,"children":124},{"lang":89,"syntax":123},"{2024}年[とし;o] に",[],{"type":38,"value":126}," means \"in 2024.\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":128,"children":129},{},[130,132,136,140,142,145],{"type":38,"value":131},"Here's a full sentence example: ",{"type":33,"tag":133,"props":134,"children":135},"br",{},[],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":137,"children":139},{"lang":89,"syntax":138},"明日[あした;h] の{3}時[さんじ;n2]に 会[あ,あう;k1]いましょう",[],{"type":38,"value":141},"。",{"type":33,"tag":133,"props":143,"children":144},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":146,"props":147,"children":148},"em",{},[149],{"type":38,"value":150},"Let's meet at 3 o'clock tomorrow.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":152,"children":153},{},[154],{"type":38,"value":155},"But you DON'T use に with relative time expressions. These are words that describe time in relation to now:",{"type":33,"tag":77,"props":157,"children":158},{},[159,168,177,186,195,204],{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":160,"children":161},{},[162,166],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":163,"children":165},{"lang":89,"syntax":164},"今日[きょう;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":167},"\n - today\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":169,"children":170},{},[171,175],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":172,"children":174},{"lang":89,"syntax":173},"明日[あした;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":176},"\n - tomorrow\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":178,"children":179},{},[180,184],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":181,"children":183},{"lang":89,"syntax":182},"昨日[きのう;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":185},"\n - yesterday\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":187,"children":188},{},[189,193],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":190,"children":192},{"lang":89,"syntax":191},"今週[こんしゅう;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":194},"\n - this week\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":196,"children":197},{},[198,202],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":199,"children":201},{"lang":89,"syntax":200},"来月[らいげつ;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":203},"\n - next month\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":205,"children":206},{},[207,211],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":208,"children":210},{"lang":89,"syntax":209},"毎日[まいにち;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":212},"\n - every day\n",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":214,"children":215},{},[216,218,222],{"type":38,"value":217},"So you'd say ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":219,"children":221},{"lang":89,"syntax":220},"明日[あした;h] 会[あ,あう;k1]いましょう",[],{"type":38,"value":223},", meaning \"Let's meet tomorrow,\" with no particle needed.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":225,"children":226},{},[227],{"type":38,"value":228},"Why the difference? Specific time points get marked with に because you're pinpointing an exact moment. Relative time words already function as time expressions on their own. They describe when something happens without needing extra marking.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":230,"children":231},{},[232,234,238,240,243,245,249,251,254],{"type":38,"value":233},"Could you please provide some clarity, possibly sticking to my examples and pointing out possible errors? Sure. A common mistake is saying ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":235,"children":237},{"lang":89,"syntax":236},"今日[きょう;a] に",[],{"type":38,"value":239},". This sounds unnatural to native speakers. Just use ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":241,"children":242},{"lang":89,"syntax":164},[],{"type":38,"value":244}," by itself. Same with ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":246,"children":248},{"lang":89,"syntax":247},"毎日[まいにち;a] に",[],{"type":38,"value":250},", which is wrong. The correct form is just ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":252,"children":253},{"lang":89,"syntax":209},[],{"type":38,"value":255},".",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":257,"children":258},{},[259,261,265,267,271,273,277],{"type":38,"value":260},"Another tricky one: ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":262,"children":264},{"lang":89,"syntax":263},"朝[あさ;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":266}," meaning \"morning.\" You typically say ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":268,"children":270},{"lang":89,"syntax":269},"朝[あさ;n3]ごはん を 食[た,たべる;k2]べました",[],{"type":38,"value":272},", \"I ate breakfast in the morning,\" without に. But if you're being very specific, like ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":274,"children":276},{"lang":89,"syntax":275},"朝[あさ;a] の{6}時[ろくじ;n2]に",[],{"type":38,"value":278},", \"at 6 in the morning,\" then you use に because you've specified an exact time.",{"type":33,"tag":56,"props":280,"children":281},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":60,"props":283,"children":285},{"id":284},"how-to-tell-time-in-japanese-hours-and-minutes",[286],{"type":38,"value":287},"How to tell time in Japanese: Hours and minutes",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":289,"children":290},{},[291,293,297],{"type":38,"value":292},"When you want to know what time it is, you ask ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":294,"children":296},{"lang":89,"syntax":295},"今[いま;a] 何[なん] 時[じ] です[;a] か",[],{"type":38,"value":298},", which means \"What time is it now?\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":300,"children":301},{},[302,304,308,310,314],{"type":38,"value":303},"The basic structure for telling time in Japanese uses ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":305,"children":307},{"lang":89,"syntax":306},"時[とき;o]",[],{"type":38,"value":309}," for hours and ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":311,"children":313},{"lang":89,"syntax":312},"分[ぶん;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":315}," for minutes. The counter changes pronunciation depending on the number, which takes some practice.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":317,"children":318},{},[319,325,327,330],{"type":33,"tag":320,"props":321,"children":322},"strong",{},[323],{"type":38,"value":324},"Hours:",{"type":38,"value":326}," The pattern is number plus ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":328,"children":329},{"lang":89,"syntax":306},[],{"type":38,"value":331},". Most are straightforward:",{"type":33,"tag":77,"props":333,"children":334},{},[335,344,353,362,371],{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":336,"children":337},{},[338,342],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":339,"children":341},{"lang":89,"syntax":340},"{1}時[いちじ;o]",[],{"type":38,"value":343},"\n - 1 o'clock\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":345,"children":346},{},[347,351],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":348,"children":350},{"lang":89,"syntax":349},"{2}時[にじ;o]",[],{"type":38,"value":352},"\n - 2 o'clock\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":354,"children":355},{},[356,360],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":357,"children":359},{"lang":89,"syntax":358},"{3}時[さんじ;o]",[],{"type":38,"value":361},"\n - 3 o'clock\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":363,"children":364},{},[365,369],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":366,"children":368},{"lang":89,"syntax":367},"{4}時[よじ;o]",[],{"type":38,"value":370},"\n - 4 o'clock (Note: not yonji)\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":372,"children":373},{},[374,378],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":375,"children":377},{"lang":89,"syntax":376},"{5}時[ごじ;o]",[],{"type":38,"value":379},"\n - 5 o'clock\n",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":381,"children":382},{},[383,385,388,390,394,396,400],{"type":38,"value":384},"The exceptions you need to memorize are ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":386,"children":387},{"lang":89,"syntax":367},[],{"type":38,"value":389},", ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":391,"children":393},{"lang":89,"syntax":392},"{7}時[しちじ;o]",[],{"type":38,"value":395},", and ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":397,"children":399},{"lang":89,"syntax":398},"{9}時[くじ;o]",[],{"type":38,"value":401},". Understanding Japanese numbers and counting helps a lot here.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":403,"children":404},{},[405,410],{"type":33,"tag":320,"props":406,"children":407},{},[408],{"type":38,"value":409},"Minutes:",{"type":38,"value":411}," This gets more complex because the pronunciation changes based on the number. Here are the key ones:",{"type":33,"tag":77,"props":413,"children":414},{},[415,422,429,436,443,450,457,464,471,478],{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":416,"children":417},{},[418],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":419,"children":421},{"lang":89,"syntax":420},"{1}分[いっぷん;a]",[],{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":423,"children":424},{},[425],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":426,"children":428},{"lang":89,"syntax":427},"{2}分[にふん;a]",[],{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":430,"children":431},{},[432],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":433,"children":435},{"lang":89,"syntax":434},"{3}分[さんぷん;a]",[],{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":437,"children":438},{},[439],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":440,"children":442},{"lang":89,"syntax":441},"{4}分[よんぷん;a]",[],{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":444,"children":445},{},[446],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":447,"children":449},{"lang":89,"syntax":448},"{5}分[ごふん;a]",[],{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":451,"children":452},{},[453],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":454,"children":456},{"lang":89,"syntax":455},"{6}分[ろっぷん;a]",[],{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":458,"children":459},{},[460],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":461,"children":463},{"lang":89,"syntax":462},"{7}分[ななふん;a]",[],{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":465,"children":466},{},[467],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":468,"children":470},{"lang":89,"syntax":469},"{8}分[はっぷん;a]",[],{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":472,"children":473},{},[474],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":475,"children":477},{"lang":89,"syntax":476},"{9}分[きゅうふん;a]",[],{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":479,"children":480},{},[481],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":482,"children":484},{"lang":89,"syntax":483},"{10}分[じゅっぷん;a]",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":486,"children":487},{},[488],{"type":38,"value":489},"Notice the pattern? Numbers ending in 1, 3, 6, 8, and 10 typically use \"pun,\" while others use \"fun.\" This follows Japanese phonetic rules that make pronunciation smoother.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":491,"children":492},{},[493,495,499],{"type":38,"value":494},"For a complete time expression: ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":496,"children":498},{"lang":89,"syntax":497},"{3}時[さんじ;o]{15}分[ぶん;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":500}," means \"3:15.\" When speaking, you'd say this as \"sanji juugofun.\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":502,"children":503},{},[504,509,511,515,517,521],{"type":33,"tag":320,"props":505,"children":506},{},[507],{"type":38,"value":508},"Half past the hour:",{"type":38,"value":510}," Japanese has a convenient expression for this. ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":512,"children":514},{"lang":89,"syntax":513},"半[はん;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":516}," means \"half,\" so ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":518,"children":520},{"lang":89,"syntax":519},"{3}時[さんじ;o] 半[はん;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":522}," means \"3:30\" or \"half past three.\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":524,"children":525},{},[526,531,533,537,539,543],{"type":33,"tag":320,"props":527,"children":528},{},[529],{"type":38,"value":530},"Minutes past the hour:",{"type":38,"value":532}," You can use ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":534,"children":536},{"lang":89,"syntax":535},"過[す,すぎる;k2]ぎ",[],{"type":38,"value":538},", which means \"past.\" So ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":540,"children":542},{"lang":89,"syntax":541},"{3}時[さんじ;o]{15}分[ぶん;a] 過[す;o]ぎ",[],{"type":38,"value":544}," means \"a little after 3:15.\" This is more casual and approximate.",{"type":33,"tag":56,"props":546,"children":547},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":60,"props":549,"children":551},{"id":550},"time-ranges-using-から-kara-and-まで-made",[552],{"type":38,"value":553},"Time ranges: Using から (Kara) And まで (Made)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":555,"children":556},{},[557],{"type":38,"value":558},"When you want to express a time range, Japanese uses two particles that work together: から meaning \"from\" and まで meaning \"until\" or \"to.\"",{"type":33,"tag":560,"props":561,"children":562},"blockquote",{},[563],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":564,"children":565},{},[566],{"type":38,"value":567},"The pattern is: start time + から + end time + まで",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":569,"children":570},{},[571,573,576,580,581,584],{"type":38,"value":572},"Example: ",{"type":33,"tag":133,"props":574,"children":575},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":577,"children":579},{"lang":89,"syntax":578},"{9}時[くじ;o] から[;a]{5}時[ごじ;o] まで 働[はたら,はたらく;h]きます",[],{"type":38,"value":141},{"type":33,"tag":133,"props":582,"children":583},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":146,"props":585,"children":586},{},[587],{"type":38,"value":588},"I work from 9 to 5.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":590,"children":591},{},[592],{"type":38,"value":593},"You can use these with all kinds of time expressions:",{"type":33,"tag":77,"props":595,"children":596},{},[597,608,619],{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":598,"children":599},{},[600,602,606],{"type":38,"value":601},"With days: ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":603,"children":605},{"lang":89,"syntax":604},"月曜日[げつようび;n3] から[;a] 金曜日[きんようび;n3] まで",[],{"type":38,"value":607}," means \"from Monday to Friday.\"",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":609,"children":610},{},[611,613,617],{"type":38,"value":612},"With months: ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":614,"children":616},{"lang":89,"syntax":615},"{4}月[つき;o] から[;a]{6}月[つき;o] まで",[],{"type":38,"value":618}," means \"from April to June.\"",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":620,"children":621},{},[622,624,628],{"type":38,"value":623},"With years: ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":625,"children":627},{"lang":89,"syntax":626},"{2020}年[とし;o] から[;a]{2024}年[とし;o] まで",[],{"type":38,"value":629}," means \"from 2020 to 2024.\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":631,"children":632},{},[633,635,639,641,645],{"type":38,"value":634},"You can also use から or まで independently. Just から indicates a starting point: ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":636,"children":638},{"lang":89,"syntax":637},"明日[あした;h] から[;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":640}," means \"starting tomorrow.\" Just まで indicates an endpoint: ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":642,"children":644},{"lang":89,"syntax":643},"{5}時[ごじ;o] まで",[],{"type":38,"value":646}," means \"until 5 o'clock.\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":648,"children":649},{},[650],{"type":38,"value":651},"Notice that when you use から and まで, you typically don't need に on the time expressions. The particles から and まで already mark the time function, so adding に would be redundant.",{"type":33,"tag":56,"props":653,"children":654},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":60,"props":656,"children":658},{"id":657},"combining-time-expressions-the-largest-to-smallest-rule",[659],{"type":38,"value":660},"Combining time expressions: The largest to smallest rule",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":662,"children":663},{},[664],{"type":38,"value":665},"Japanese follows a logical order when combining multiple time elements.",{"type":33,"tag":560,"props":667,"children":668},{},[669],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":670,"children":671},{},[672],{"type":38,"value":673},"You always go from the largest unit to the smallest: year, month, day, time.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":675,"children":676},{},[677,679,683],{"type":38,"value":678},"This is actually the opposite of how English often works. In English, we might say \"3:30 PM on Monday, May 3rd, 2024.\" In Japanese, you'd structure it as ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":680,"children":682},{"lang":89,"syntax":681},"{2024}年[とし;o]{5}月[つき;o]{3}日[ひ;h] 月曜日[げつようび;n3] 午後[ごご;a]{3}時[さんじ;o] 半[はん;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":255},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":685,"children":686},{},[687,689,693],{"type":38,"value":688},"When you need to connect time expressions, you use の. This possessive particle links the elements together. For example: ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":690,"children":692},{"lang":89,"syntax":691},"明日[あした;h] の 午後[ごご;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":694}," means \"tomorrow afternoon.\" The の connects \"tomorrow\" with \"afternoon.\"",{"type":33,"tag":56,"props":696,"children":697},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":60,"props":699,"children":701},{"id":700},"common-time-related-phrases-youll-actually-use",[702],{"type":38,"value":703},"Common time-related phrases you’ll actually use",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":705,"children":706},{},[707,709,715],{"type":38,"value":708},"Beyond the basic ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":710,"children":713},{"href":711,"rel":712},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Fjapanese-word-order-basic-to-advanced-guide",[45],[714],{"type":38,"value":24},{"type":38,"value":716},", there are tons of useful time phrases that come up in everyday conversation. Here are the essential ones:",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":718,"children":719},{},[720,725,727,734],{"type":33,"tag":320,"props":721,"children":722},{},[723],{"type":38,"value":724},"Frequency expressions:",{"type":38,"value":726}," These tell you how often something happens. Many of these are covered in our guide on Japanese ad",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":728,"children":731},{"href":729,"rel":730},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Fjapanese-verb-conjugation-complete-guide",[45],[732],{"type":38,"value":733},"verbs",{"type":38,"value":735}," of frequency and time.",{"type":33,"tag":77,"props":737,"children":738},{},[739,744,749,758,763,777],{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":740,"children":741},{},[742],{"type":38,"value":743},"いつも - always",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":745,"children":746},{},[747],{"type":38,"value":748},"よく - often",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":750,"children":751},{},[752,756],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":753,"children":755},{"lang":89,"syntax":754},"時々[ときどき;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":757},"\n - sometimes\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":759,"children":760},{},[761],{"type":38,"value":762},"たまに - occasionally",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":764,"children":765},{},[766,768,775],{"type":38,"value":767},"あまり - not often (used with ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":769,"children":772},{"href":770,"rel":771},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Fjapanese-negation-negative-sentences",[45],[773],{"type":38,"value":774},"negative",{"type":38,"value":776}," verbs)",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":778,"children":779},{},[780,784],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":781,"children":783},{"lang":89,"syntax":782},"全然[ぜんぜん;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":785},"\n - never (used with negative verbs)\n",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":787,"children":788},{},[789,794,796,800],{"type":33,"tag":320,"props":790,"children":791},{},[792],{"type":38,"value":793},"Duration expressions:",{"type":38,"value":795}," These specify how long something takes or lasts. You use ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":797,"children":799},{"lang":89,"syntax":798},"間[かん;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":801}," as a suffix for duration.",{"type":33,"tag":77,"props":803,"children":804},{},[805,814,823,832,841],{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":806,"children":807},{},[808,812],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":809,"children":811},{"lang":89,"syntax":810},"{1}時間[じかん;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":813},"\n - one hour\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":815,"children":816},{},[817,821],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":818,"children":820},{"lang":89,"syntax":819},"{30}分間[ふんかん]",[],{"type":38,"value":822},"\n - 30 minutes (though you can also just say 30分)\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":824,"children":825},{},[826,830],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":827,"children":829},{"lang":89,"syntax":828},"{3}日[にち] 間[かん;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":831},"\n - three days\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":833,"children":834},{},[835,839],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":836,"children":838},{"lang":89,"syntax":837},"{1}週間[しゅうかん;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":840},"\n - one week\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":842,"children":843},{},[844,848],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":845,"children":847},{"lang":89,"syntax":846},"{1}ヶ 月間[げっかん;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":849},"\n - one month\n",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":851,"children":852},{},[853,854,857,861,862,865],{"type":38,"value":572},{"type":33,"tag":133,"props":855,"children":856},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":858,"children":860},{"lang":89,"syntax":859},"毎日[まいにち;a]{2}時間[じかん;h] 勉強[べんきょう;h] し[,する;h]ます",[],{"type":38,"value":141},{"type":33,"tag":133,"props":863,"children":864},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":146,"props":866,"children":867},{},[868],{"type":38,"value":869},"I study two hours every day.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":871,"children":872},{},[873,878],{"type":33,"tag":320,"props":874,"children":875},{},[876],{"type":38,"value":877},"Parts of the day:",{"type":38,"value":879}," These are super useful for casual time references:",{"type":33,"tag":77,"props":881,"children":882},{},[883,891,900,909,918,927,936],{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":884,"children":885},{},[886,889],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":887,"children":888},{"lang":89,"syntax":263},[],{"type":38,"value":890},"\n - morning\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":892,"children":893},{},[894,898],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":895,"children":897},{"lang":89,"syntax":896},"昼[ひる;o]",[],{"type":38,"value":899},"\n - noon\u002Fdaytime\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":901,"children":902},{},[903,907],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":904,"children":906},{"lang":89,"syntax":905},"午後[ごご;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":908},"\n - afternoon\u002FPM\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":910,"children":911},{},[912,916],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":913,"children":915},{"lang":89,"syntax":914},"夕方[ゆうがた;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":917},"\n - evening\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":919,"children":920},{},[921,925],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":922,"children":924},{"lang":89,"syntax":923},"夜[よる;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":926},"\n - night\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":928,"children":929},{},[930,934],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":931,"children":933},{"lang":89,"syntax":932},"午前[ごぜん;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":935},"\n - morning\u002FAM\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":937,"children":938},{},[939,943],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":940,"children":942},{"lang":89,"syntax":941},"真夜中[まよなか;n2]",[],{"type":38,"value":944},"\n - midnight\n",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":946,"children":947},{},[948,953],{"type":33,"tag":320,"props":949,"children":950},{},[951],{"type":38,"value":952},"Specialized terms:",{"type":38,"value":954}," Are there any time-related words in Japanese you still want to know? The vocabulary we've covered here handles probably 90% of everyday situations. But there are some specialized terms worth picking up as you advance:",{"type":33,"tag":77,"props":956,"children":957},{},[958,967,976,985,994,1003],{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":959,"children":960},{},[961,965],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":962,"children":964},{"lang":89,"syntax":963},"期間[きかん;a,n2]",[],{"type":38,"value":966},"\n - period\u002Fterm\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":968,"children":969},{},[970,974],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":971,"children":973},{"lang":89,"syntax":972},"期限[きげん;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":975},"\n - deadline\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":977,"children":978},{},[979,983],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":980,"children":982},{"lang":89,"syntax":981},"予定[よてい;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":984},"\n - schedule\u002Fplan\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":986,"children":987},{},[988,992],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":989,"children":991},{"lang":89,"syntax":990},"スケジュール[;n2,n3]",[],{"type":38,"value":993},"\n - schedule (borrowed from English)\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":995,"children":996},{},[997,1001],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":998,"children":1000},{"lang":89,"syntax":999},"時刻表[じこくひょう;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":1002},"\n - timetable\n",{"type":33,"tag":81,"props":1004,"children":1005},{},[1006,1010],{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":1007,"children":1009},{"lang":89,"syntax":1008},"営業[えいぎょう;h] 時間[じかん;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":1011},"\n - business hours\n",{"type":33,"tag":56,"props":1013,"children":1014},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":60,"props":1016,"children":1018},{"id":1017},"common-mistakes-to-watch-out-for",[1019],{"type":38,"value":1020},"Common mistakes to watch out for",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1022,"children":1023},{},[1024],{"type":38,"value":1025},"Even after you understand the rules, there are some tricky spots where learners commonly mess up:",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1027,"children":1028},{},[1029,1034,1036,1039,1041,1045],{"type":33,"tag":320,"props":1030,"children":1031},{},[1032],{"type":38,"value":1033},"Using に with relative time words:",{"type":38,"value":1035}," We covered this, but it's worth repeating because it's so common. Don't say ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":1037,"children":1038},{"lang":89,"syntax":236},[],{"type":38,"value":1040}," or ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":1042,"children":1044},{"lang":89,"syntax":1043},"明日[あした;h] に",[],{"type":38,"value":1046},". Just use the time word alone.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1048,"children":1049},{},[1050,1055,1057,1060,1061,1065],{"type":33,"tag":320,"props":1051,"children":1052},{},[1053],{"type":38,"value":1054},"Forgetting に with specific times:",{"type":38,"value":1056}," The opposite mistake is also frequent. When you have a concrete time like ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":1058,"children":1059},{"lang":89,"syntax":358},[],{"type":38,"value":1040},{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":1062,"children":1064},{"lang":89,"syntax":1063},"月曜日[げつようび;n3]",[],{"type":38,"value":1066},", you need that に in most contexts. Without it, the sentence feels off.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1068,"children":1069},{},[1070,1075,1077,1081,1083,1086],{"type":33,"tag":320,"props":1071,"children":1072},{},[1073],{"type":38,"value":1074},"Mixing up duration and point in time:",{"type":38,"value":1076}," Remember that ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":1078,"children":1080},{"lang":89,"syntax":1079},"{2}時間[じかん;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":1082},"  means \"two hours\" (duration), while ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":1084,"children":1085},{"lang":89,"syntax":349},[],{"type":38,"value":1087}," means \"2 o'clock\" (point in time). These aren't interchangeable.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1089,"children":1090},{},[1091,1096],{"type":33,"tag":320,"props":1092,"children":1093},{},[1094],{"type":38,"value":1095},"Wrong particle with time ranges:",{"type":38,"value":1097}," When using から and まで together, you don't need に on the time expressions.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1099,"children":1100},{},[1101,1106,1108,1111,1113,1116],{"type":33,"tag":320,"props":1102,"children":1103},{},[1104],{"type":38,"value":1105},"Pronunciation of minutes:",{"type":38,"value":1107}," Those minute counters are genuinely tough. ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":1109,"children":1110},{"lang":89,"syntax":420},[],{"type":38,"value":1112}," is ippun, not ichibun. ",{"type":33,"tag":87,"props":1114,"children":1115},{"lang":89,"syntax":434},[],{"type":38,"value":1117}," is sanpun, not sanfun. This just takes repetition to get right.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1119,"children":1120},{},[1121,1126],{"type":33,"tag":320,"props":1122,"children":1123},{},[1124],{"type":38,"value":1125},"Order of time elements:",{"type":38,"value":1127}," Remember to go from largest to smallest.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1129,"children":1130},{},[1131],{"type":38,"value":1132},"Catching these mistakes early helps you build correct habits. When you're practicing, try saying your sentences out loud. Your ear will start picking up what sounds natural and what doesn't.",{"type":33,"tag":56,"props":1134,"children":1135},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":60,"props":1137,"children":1139},{"id":1138},"putting-it-all-together-how-to-learn-japanese-time-expressions",[1140],{"type":38,"value":1141},"Putting it all together: How to learn Japanese time expressions",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1143,"children":1144},{},[1145],{"type":38,"value":1146},"Understanding Japanese time expressions really comes down to a few core principles. Use に with specific, concrete time points. Skip に with relative time words. Combine time elements from largest to smallest. Use から and まで for ranges.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1148,"children":1149},{},[1150],{"type":38,"value":1151},"Once you've got these patterns down, expressing time in Japanese becomes pretty straightforward. You can talk about your schedule, make plans, discuss when things happened, and understand time-related information you encounter in Japanese media or conversations.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1153,"children":1154},{},[1155],{"type":38,"value":1156},"If you're actively learning Japanese and want to see these time expressions in action, Migaku's browser extension and app let you look up words and phrases instantly while watching Japanese shows or reading articles. You'll see how native speakers actually use these patterns in real contexts. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.",{"type":33,"tag":1158,"props":1159,"children":1163},"img",{"src":1160,"width":1161,"height":17,"alt":1162},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002F3_screens_purple_2_9bb1da2f6a\u002F3_screens_purple_2_9bb1da2f6a.png",1620,"Learn Japanese language with Migaku",[],{"type":33,"tag":1165,"props":1166,"children":1169},"prose-button",{"href":1167,"text":1168},"\u002Flearn-japanese","Learn Japanese with Migaku",[],{"type":33,"tag":56,"props":1171,"children":1172},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":60,"props":1174,"children":1176},{"id":1175},"trust-the-magic-of-media-consumption-when-learning-vocabulary",[1177],{"type":38,"value":1178},"Trust the magic of media consumption when learning vocabulary",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1180,"children":1181},{},[1182],{"type":38,"value":1183},"The vocabulary might seem overwhelming at first, especially with all those counter variations for minutes and the different particles. But you don't need to memorize everything at once. Start with the most common expressions, the ones you'd actually use in your daily life, and build from there. Naturally, as you consume more media, you will gradually internalize the high-frequency ones!",{"type":33,"tag":560,"props":1185,"children":1186},{},[1187],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1188,"children":1189},{},[1190,1192,1197],{"type":38,"value":1191},"If you consume media in Japanese, and you understand at least some of the messages and sentences within that media, you will make progress. ",{"type":33,"tag":146,"props":1193,"children":1194},{},[1195],{"type":38,"value":1196},"Period",{"type":38,"value":255},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1199,"children":1200},{},[1201],{"type":38,"value":1202},"Let time and consistency do the tricks!",{"title":27,"searchDepth":1204,"depth":1204,"links":1205},2,[1206,1207,1208,1209,1210,1211,1212,1213],{"id":62,"depth":1204,"text":65},{"id":284,"depth":1204,"text":287},{"id":550,"depth":1204,"text":553},{"id":657,"depth":1204,"text":660},{"id":700,"depth":1204,"text":703},{"id":1017,"depth":1204,"text":1020},{"id":1138,"depth":1204,"text":1141},{"id":1175,"depth":1204,"text":1178},"2025-12-31T20:17:36.188Z","2026-01-07T08:52:11.792Z","2026-01-07T08:52:11.827Z","japanese",0,"December 31, 2025",[],[1222,1236,1247],{"id":1223,"documentId":1224,"slug":1225,"category":1217,"lang":3,"title":1226,"description":1227,"image":1228,"tags":1231,"timestampUnix":1235,"featured":19},7918,"b1yspu87g43a1sawuj13utjw","learning-japanese-in-2026-what-actually-works","Learning Japanese in 2026: What Actually Works","A concrete 2026 guide to learning Japanese: writing systems, grammar, immersion, SRS, and how new visa rules raise the stakes for JLPT N2.",{"alt":1226,"src":1229,"width":17,"height":1230,"previewOnly":19},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Flearning_japanese_in_2026_what_actually_works_2960eb86da\u002Flearning_japanese_in_2026_what_actually_works_2960eb86da.jpg",800,[1232,1233,1234],"resources","discussion","deepdive","1777747440000",{"id":1237,"documentId":1238,"slug":1239,"category":1217,"lang":3,"title":1240,"description":1241,"image":1242,"tags":1245,"timestampUnix":1246,"featured":19},7905,"fsbgdessf9ri72q7o8wm0dyk","how-to-learn-japanese-in-2026-a-realistic-routine","How to Learn Japanese in 2026: A Realistic Routine","A concrete 2026 routine for learning Japanese: tools, content, milestones, and a 12-month plan aimed at reading novels, watching unsubbed drama, or passing JLPT N2.",{"alt":1240,"src":1243,"width":17,"height":1244,"previewOnly":19},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fhow_to_learn_japanese_in_2026_a_realistic_routine_c0e887fd87\u002Fhow_to_learn_japanese_in_2026_a_realistic_routine_c0e887fd87.jpg",1200,[1232,1233,1234],"1777679340000",{"id":1248,"documentId":1249,"slug":1250,"category":1217,"lang":3,"title":1251,"description":1252,"image":1253,"tags":1255,"timestampUnix":1256,"featured":19},7917,"eyan8j4f7d472o7cmv9n5vbg","learning-japanese-in-2026-a-practitioners-playbook","Learning Japanese in 2026: A Practitioner's Playbook","How to actually learn Japanese in 2026: immersion-first routines, the grammar that matters, and what recent policy shifts mean for learners.",{"alt":1251,"src":1254,"width":17,"height":1244,"previewOnly":19},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Flearning_japanese_in_2026_a_practitioners_playbook_dbf97e0ed7\u002Flearning_japanese_in_2026_a_practitioners_playbook_dbf97e0ed7.jpg",[1232,1234],"1777672260000"]