L38. Daily Japanese Kanji — [Day 38] 時 - time, hour
Days 31-40
R-report
[Day 38] 時 - time, hour
The kanji 時 combines 日 (sun/day) on the left with 寺 (temple) on the right; historically it links the passage of the sun and temple bells that marked hours, so its everyday meaning is "time" or an "hour" on the clock. Readings: On'yomi and Kun'yomi are both common in modern Japanese — see examples below. Mnemonic tip: imagine the sun (日) above a temple bell (寺) that rings to mark the hour.
Readings
On'yomi: **ジ / 時** (ji) Kun'yomi: **とき** (toki)
Related words
- 時間（じかん / jikan） — time; hours. - 今日は**時間**がない。（Kyou wa jikan ga nai. — I don't have time today.)
- 一時（いちじ / ichiji） — one o'clock; temporary. - ミーティングは**一時**に始まります。（Miitingu wa ichiji ni hajimarimasu. — The meeting starts at 1:00.)
- 時々（ときどき / tokidoki） — sometimes. - 私は**時々**映画を見ます。（Watashi wa tokidoki eiga o mimasu. — I sometimes watch movies.)
- 時計（とけい / tokei） — clock; watch. - 壁の**時計**を見てください。（Kabe no tokei o mite kudasai. — Please look at the clock on the wall.)
- 時代（じだい / jidai） — era; period. - 江戸**時代**の文化は面白い。（Edo jidai no bunka wa omoshiroi. — The culture of the Edo period is interesting.)