Time Reading Tips

• In Japanese, time is said using [hour]時 ([hour]-ji). For example:
• 4 o'clock = 4時 (よじ / yo-ji) (⚠️ not “yon-ji” — 4 is irregular!)
• 9 o'clock = 9時 (くじ / ku-ji) (also irregular)
• Minutes use 分 (ふん/ぷん). The reading changes depending on the number:
  • 1分 = いっぷん / ippun
  • 3分 = さんぷん / sanpun
  • 6分 = ろっぷん / roppun
  • 10分 = じゅっぷん / juppun
• AM and PM in Japanese:
  • 午前 (ごぜん / gozen) = AM
  • 午後 (ごご / gogo) = PM
• Want to ask “What time is it?” in Japanese? Try saying: 今何時ですか？ (いま なんじ ですか？)
• Use this tool to convert any time into Japanese — see kanji, hiragana, and romaji instantly.