時

• Reading: とき
• Romaji: toki
• Kanji breakdown: 時 (toki/ji) — time, hour; composed of 日 (sun) + 寺 (temple)
• Pronunciation: /to.ki/

Meaning

Time; hour; moment; when. Marks specific points in time or clock hours.

Read as とき when meaning 'time' or 'when' (a temporal noun), and as じ when used as a clock-hour counter — 三時 (sanji, three o'clock). As とき it often appears in the grammar pattern ～時 (toki, 'when...'), connecting two clauses. One of the most versatile time-related words in Japanese.

Examples

1. 子どもの時、よく公園で遊びました。 When I was a kid, I often played in the park.
2. 今、三時です。 It's three o'clock right now.
3. 暇な時、映画を見ます。 When I have free time, I watch movies.

Usage Guide

Context: telling time, temporal clauses, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 時 combines 日 (sun) and 寺 (temple), where temple bells historically marked the passing hours.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal