時間表現. Grammar or words that express temporal information. Whereas tense is always relative to the moment of utterance, time is more absolutely located on an imaginary timeline.
Questions tagged [time]
150 questions
24
votes
2 answers
What's the difference between 今日{きょう} and 本日{ほんじつ}?
I also see both in different examples.
As in :
今日は暑い。
本日はおめでとうございます。
Both are translated as "Today", but when and how should I use either one?
Can we say : 本日はあつい。 And 今日はおめでとうございます。?

Kalzem
- 807
- 1
- 9
- 18
21
votes
4 answers
When did you last...?
I am searching for a way to ask a question like "When did you last see her?" or "When did you last do the laundry?, or also "When did we last meet?" Basically, how do you construct a question with this content:
"When was the most recent time when X…

Kdansky
- 1,266
- 2
- 12
- 24
20
votes
1 answer
Can you say "half hour" or must you say "30 minutes"?
I know that to say an hour and a half you can say 一時間半, but is it possible to express simply half an hour even though the counter comes before 半? Or would you just have to say 三十分?
If both ways are possible, is one widely more common or are they…

atlantiza
- 3,367
- 4
- 26
- 40
17
votes
1 answer
後で vs. 前に. Why not the same particle?
Why don't 後で and 前に both use the same particle? (I suppose I would think に would be more appropriate.) They both seem to be the same kind of statement, just with different times (before/after), so I really can't think of any reason for the particle…
user3457
16
votes
1 answer
Is 以降 inclusive?
If I say:
16日[以降]{いこう}参加できません。
It means I cannot participate after the 16th.
However, what about on the 16th? Is it also implied that I cannot participate on the 16th either? Or, that I can participate on the 16th, but not after?

wip
- 906
- 4
- 13
15
votes
5 answers
Why does 前 mean "past" in terms of time, but "forward" in terms of direction?
Why does 前 mean "past" in terms of time, but "forward" in terms of direction?
So far I was able to find that 前 is constructed from Chinese: 舟 and 止, which can be interpreted as "leaving a footprint", hence the "past" meaning, but it seems kind of…

bryan
- 161
- 2
- 5
14
votes
1 answer
Why is it that some temporal nouns cannot be marked with に? And why do they become more acceptable with には?
Consider the following:
に here is used in its function of denoting the time where an event occurs (に1):
◯ 一時に1
◯ 一時半に1
◯ 月曜日に1
◯ 正月に1
* 昨日に1
?/◯ 昨日には
* 今日に1
?/◯ 今日には
* 明日に1
?/◯ 明日には
* 去年に1
?/◯ 去年には
* 今年に1
?/◯ 今年には
* 来年に1
?/◯ 来年には
* 最近に1
に becomes…

Flaw
- 19,716
- 8
- 63
- 167
14
votes
2 answers
Difference between 間 and 間に
I have some problems with understanding what is the difference between these two. According to 初級日本語, 間 refers to certain time frame whereas 間に refers to certain time frame within that time frame. Is it correct or am I missing something?

razorramon
- 843
- 2
- 9
- 18
13
votes
8 answers
How do I say "before" or "used to" in Japanese?
朝、作文を書いた時、疑問に思いました。
How can I say something like:
I didn't use to like this band.
Before, I didn't like this band.

Myeongunder
- 211
- 1
- 3
- 4
13
votes
1 answer
How do you express time duration when mixing time units?
When you want to express a passage of time mixing time units like days, hours, and minutes is it best to use for example 間 once at the end to show duration, or should words showing duration be used for every step, or maybe a mix of both? Should you…

Malt Yebisu
- 338
- 1
- 8
13
votes
3 answers
No word for "time" until 1871?
In a German newspaper article an interviewed professor says:
For a long time the Japanese didn't have any interest in clocks: Until
1871, there hadn't even been a word for time and therefore no time
measurement.
(Original text:)
Auch die…

elzell
- 407
- 4
- 9
12
votes
2 answers
How to express vague amounts of time?
I'm having trouble figuring out how to express vague amounts of time in Japanese, such as some number of months or some number of hours.
I want to use this in a context where the specific number is neither important nor known, but the factor of time…

atlantiza
- 3,367
- 4
- 26
- 40
11
votes
2 answers
Casual way to say: ''See you tomorrow at (some time)''
Lets say 11am
How would you say: ''See you tomorrow at 11.'' ?
All I have is :
ashita wa juuichi ji ni ... what now ? ...
I found this expression online :
11 のあなたは見てください

Kantura
- 2,378
- 10
- 23
11
votes
2 answers
Use of になります in the context of time
While attempting to translate the sentence "It will soon be two years since I started learning Japanese", I started wondering how になります works in the context of time. Ignoring any other translation errors, is になります the correct word to use at the end…

heuristicus
- 331
- 2
- 9
10
votes
2 answers
Nuance between いっとき and いちじ as a pronunciation of 一時
I am writing a flashcards deck to memorize Minato-ku's list of 防災-related words.
Excerpt:
一時集合場所 いっときしゅうごうばしょ Temporary meeting places
一時滞在施設 いちじたいざいしせつ Temporary stay facilities
As you see, one says 一時 as いっとき and the other one as いちじ.
This…

Nicolas Raoul
- 8,590
- 3
- 27
- 76