時期

• Reading: じき
• Romaji: jiki
• Kanji breakdown: 時 (ji/toki) — time; 期 (ki/go) — period, term
• Pronunciation: /dʑi.ki/

Meaning

Time; season; period; phase. A particular point or stretch in time when something happens.

A noun indicating the appropriate or characteristic time for something. Often used with seasonal events, life stages, or optimal timing: いい時期 (ii jiki, good timing), 時期が来る (jiki ga kuru, the time will come). Can also function adverbially meaning 'soon' in more literary usage. Differs from 期間 in that it focuses on the nature of the time rather than its length.

Examples

1. 桜が咲く時期になりました。 It's the season when the cherry blossoms bloom.
2. 転職するにはいい時期だと思う。 I think it's a good time to change jobs.
3. この時期は風邪をひきやすいので気をつけて。 It's easy to catch a cold this time of year, so be careful.

Usage Guide

Context: seasons, planning, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 時 (ji, time) and 期 (ki, period). Together they denote a specific season or phase characterised by certain conditions or events.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal