勤務時間

• Reading: きんむじかん
• Romaji: kinmujikan
• Kanji breakdown: 勤 (kin) — work, diligent; 務 (mu) — duty, service; 時 (ji) — time; 間 (kan) — interval, between
• Pronunciation: /kiɴ.mɯ.dʑi.kaɴ/

Meaning

Working hours; office hours; business hours. The designated period during which employees work.

A compound noun: 勤務 (work/duty) + 時間 (time/hours). Refers specifically to the hours an employee is expected to work. Related terms include 勤務時間外 (outside working hours), フレックス勤務時間 (flexible working hours). Distinct from 営業時間 (business/opening hours for customers).

Examples

1. 勤務時間は午前9時から午後6時までです。 Working hours are from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
2. 勤務時間外の連絡は控えるようにしている。 I try to avoid contacting people outside of working hours.
3. フレックス制度により、勤務時間を自由に調整できる。 The flex system allows me to freely adjust my working hours.

Usage Guide

Context: business, HR, workplace

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 勤 (kin, work diligently) + 務 (mu, duty) + 時 (ji, time) + 間 (kan, interval). A straightforward compound describing the time interval of one's work duties.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal