時間

• Reading: じかん
• Romaji: jikan
• Kanji breakdown: 時 (ji/toki) — time, hour; 間 (kan/ma) — interval, space
• Pronunciation: /dʑi.kaɴ/

Meaning

Time; hours. Used both as a general concept and as a counter for hours.

Combines 時 (time/hour) and 間 (interval/space). As a noun it means 'time' in general, and as a counter it measures duration in hours — 一時間 (ichijikan, one hour), 二時間 (nijikan, two hours). Distinct from 時 (ji), which marks clock time. A fundamental word for scheduling and daily conversation.

Examples

1. 時間がありません。 I don't have time.
2. 毎日八時間働きます。 I work eight hours every day.
3. テストの時間は一時間です。 The test is one hour long.

Usage Guide

Context: scheduling, daily life, work

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

A Sino-Japanese compound combining 時 (ji, time) and 間 (kan, interval). The pairing captures the idea of a span or duration of time.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal