定時

• Reading: ていじ
• Romaji: teiji
• Kanji breakdown: 定 (tei/sada) — fix, determine, regular; 時 (ji/toki) — time, hour
• Pronunciation: /teː.dʑi/

Meaning

Fixed time; regular time; scheduled time. Often refers specifically to the official end of the workday.

A noun used to refer to a set or regular time, especially in work contexts where it means the official quitting time. 定時で帰る (leaving at the regular quitting time) is a very common phrase. Also used more broadly for any scheduled or appointed time, such as meetings or events.

Examples

1. 今日は定時で帰れそうだ。 It looks like I'll be able to leave at the regular quitting time today.
2. 定時に会議が始まった。 The meeting started at the scheduled time.
3. 毎日定時に退社するのは難しい。 It's hard to leave work at the regular quitting time every day.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, scheduling, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 定 (fixed, determined) and 時 (time). Has evolved beyond its literal meaning to specifically denote the regular quitting time in modern Japanese workplace culture.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Working age

Social background: Professional