New here? This is lesson 30 of a free 240-lesson Japanese course.
What time is it in Japanese
The wall clock at Kissa Hotaru already says half past three, but Goro asks the time anyway. His blend coffee is still full.
Masako looks up from the counter and tells him it is half past. He has been in that booth since morning.
By the end, you can ask the time and answer on the hour or the half hour, in the morning or at night.
Keep it polite. Minutes past the hour can wait.
By the end of this lesson
Ask and tell the time on the hour and the half hour.
- 今何時ですか。What time is it now?
- 3時です。It's three o'clock.
- 3時半です。It's half past three.
- 午前7時です。It's 7 a.m.
- 午後9時です。It's 9 p.m.
- 10時半です。It's half past ten.
Scene — the wall clock
Afternoon in Yanaka. Leo sits at the wooden counter of Kissa Hotaru. The wall clock already shows half past three.
In the corner booth, Goro's blend coffee is still full. He looks at the clock, then asks the time anyway.
Learn — hour and half hour
Six short lines cover asking the time and answering on the hour or half hour.
You also get morning and night, so a seven o'clock is not a nine o'clock.
今何時ですか。
What time is it now?
When to use it: Ask this when you need the time right now.
Learn it as one piece for asking the time.
3時です。
It's three o'clock.
When to use it: Say this when it is three o'clock.
Learn it as one piece for three o'clock.
3時半です。
It's half past three.
When to use it: Say this when it is half past three.
Learn it as one piece for half past three.
Say it: The ん in 半 is a full beat.
午前7時です。
It's 7 a.m.
When to use it: Say this for seven in the morning.
Learn it as one piece for seven in the morning.
午後9時です。
It's 9 p.m.
When to use it: Say this for nine at night.
Learn it as one piece for nine at night.
10時半です。
It's half past ten.
When to use it: Say this when it is half past ten.
Learn it as one piece for half past ten.
Story — goro asks anyway
Watch Goro ask the time with a clock on the wall. Masako has the real answer.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned. Turn on Show English if you need it.
- The wall clock already says half past three. Goro's cup is still full.
Leoこんにちは。Hello.
Goro今何時ですか。What time is it now?- Leo3時半です。It's half past three.
Masako3時半です。It's half past three.- Goro opens a pocket watch. The hands still sit at seven.
- Goro午前7時です。It's 7 a.m.
- Masako朝からですね。Since this morning, then.
- Goro3時です。It's three o'clock.
- Masakoいいえ。No.
- Goro午後9時です。It's 9 p.m.
- Masakoいいえ。No.
- Goro10時半です。It's half past ten.
- Masako3時半です。It's half past three.
- Masako taps the wall clock. Goro nods, and still does not drink.
Practice — morning or night
Eleven quick exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, fill a gap, and build a line.
They stay tiny, so the round moves fast.
0 of 11 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Which one doesn’t belong?
Which one doesn’t belong?
What do you say?
What do you say?
The wall clock at Kissa Hotaru shows three on the hour.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
It's half past three.
3時半____。
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
午前7時です。
Swap the word
Swap the word
It is nine at night at the kissa. Fix the line.
____9時です。
What do you say?
What do you say?
You check the clock. It is half past ten.
Build the line
Build the line
What time is it now?
。
Tap the words in order.
Find the mistake
Find the mistake
What do you say?
What do you say?
It is seven in the morning. You step into Kissa Hotaru and greet Masako.
True or false?
True or false?
You say this as a hello in the evening.
Say it — tell the time
Now you're Leo at the kissa. The wall clock shows half past three. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.
Tap ▶ first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.
- Masakoこんにちは。Hello.
- Leo (you)Say hello back.
Say hello back.
こんにちは。
Hello.
0 of 4 said
Recap — what you can say now
| Japanese | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| 今何時ですか。 | What time is it now? | |
| 3時です。 | It's three o'clock. | |
| 3時半です。 | It's half past three. | |
| 午前7時です。 | It's 7 a.m. | |
| 午後9時です。 | It's 9 p.m. | |
| 10時半です。 | It's half past ten. |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these times handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps the time ready when someone asks.
Open Yak Cards