時刻

• Reading: じこく
• Romaji: jikoku
• Kanji breakdown: 時 (ji/toki) — time, hour; 刻 (koku/kiza) — engrave, mark, time
• Pronunciation: /dʑi.ko.kɯ/

Meaning

Time; hour. A specific point in time, especially as shown on a clock.

A noun referring to a precise point in time, more formal and exact than 時間 (jikan, time/duration). Common compounds: 時刻表 (jikoku-hyou, timetable), 発車時刻 (hassha jikoku, departure time), 現在時刻 (genzai jikoku, current time). Used heavily in transportation, schedules, and official documents.

Examples

1. 出発の時刻を教えてください。 Please tell me the departure time.
2. 時刻表を見て次の電車を調べた。 I checked the timetable and looked up the next train.
3. 集合時刻に遅れないようにしてください。 Please make sure you're not late for the meeting time.

Usage Guide

Context: transportation, schedules, official communication

Tone: precise

Origin & History

Compound of 時 (ji, time/hour) and 刻 (koku, engrave/mark). In ancient timekeeping, time was 'marked' or 'engraved' at intervals, giving rise to this word for a specific moment.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal