Step 1: What time is it?

Let's take a look at the folloing sentences!

Let me explain these sentences in detail.

• "ima"(now)
• "nan"(what)
• "ji"(O'clock)
• "desuka" -"desu" is the verb which means "is" in English. "ka" is used for question sentences. In other words, if you put "ka" after "desu", you are asking a question.
• "san ju han"(3:30)-"san ji" is 3 o'clock.(Remember "san" is three in Japanese?) "han" means "half".

Step 2: ? ji ? hun(ppun) desu.

As you noticed, in Japanese, you have to say "ji" for o'clock and "hun" or "ppun" for minute. Depending on the minute, you use either "hun" or "ppun". However, it is not difficult because there is a rule for that. Before I give you the rule, let's take a look at the following list of minutes.

• "go-hun"(5 minutes)
• "ju-ppun"(10 minutes)
• "ju-go-hun"(15 minutes)
• "ni-ju-ppun"(20 minutes)
• "ni-ju-go-hun"(25 minutes)
• "san-ju-ppun"(30 minutes) -You can say "han"(half) instead.
• "san-ju-go-hun"(35 minutes)
• "yon-ju-ppun"(40 minutes)
• "yon-ju-go-hun"(45 minutes)
• "go-ju-ppun"(50 minutes)
• "go-ju-go-hun"(55 minutes)

Did you find the rule? I know some of you've already noticed it. Let me give you the rule now.

• 10,20,30,40,and 50 minute -use "ppun"
• 5,15,25,35,45,55 minute -use "hun"

Unlike the minute, o'clock is very easy. All you need to do is to use "ji" for o'clock. For example, 12:00 is "ju-ni ji". That's it. Isn't that so easy?

Unfortunately, there is some exceptions. Please do not say "shi-ji" instead of "yo-ji" for 4:00. Also, please do not say "kyu-ji" instead of "ku-ji" for 9:00. If you keep this in your mind, the rest of the o'clock is very simple and easy. If you feel comfortable with "ji" and "hun"(or "ppun"), please go on to the next step!

Half Time

Step 3: Exercise

1. How do you say the following times in Japanese?

1. 5:00
2. 8:35
3. 2:20
4. 7:30
5. 11:55

   2. Please say the following sentences in Japanese

6. "What time it is?"
7. "It's 10:45."

After you are done, please check your answers.

Answers

1. "go-ji"
2. hachi-ji-san-ju-go-hun"
3. "ni-ji-ni-ju-ppun"
4. "nana-ji-han" or "nana-ji-san-ju-ppun"
5. ju-ichi-ji-go-ju-go-hun"
6. "Ima nan ji desuka?"
7. "ju-ji-yon-ju-go-hun desu."

Well, how did you do? Do you feel comfortable with the time in Japanese now? If so, please go on to the next step!

Step 4: From...To

Now you can say the time in Japanese. Here, I am going to give you some very useful sentences regarding the time.

A: "Wal-Mart wa nan ji kara desu ka?"

Let me explain these sentences in detail.

• "kara" (from)
• "made" (to, until)
• "gogo" (p.m.) -"gozen" is a.m.

If you feel comfortable with these sentences above, please practice this expression using the following format.

A: "(put store, post office etc.) wa nan ji kara desuka?"

If you feel comfortable with these sentences, please try them with your partner: like a real conversation.