Time and occasions with

時 represents time, a specific moment, or a particular period.

Etymology

This kanji isa phono-semantic compound comprised of 日 (sun) as the semantic component and 寺 as the phonetic component (ジ).

The sun anchors the meaning because the movement of the sun is what lets people measure the passing of time. A measured point under the sun becomes both a clock moment and the broader sense of “when”.

Time Boundaries and Limits

(Timing device)

時限装置(じげんそうち) means a timing device set to operate at a preset time or after a fixed delay.

It combines 時限 (preset time) with 装置 (device) to show a device controlled by a set time.

Manga panel from 名探偵コナン showing example of Power switch pulled by a timing device with 時限装置.
名探偵コナン » Volume 3 » Page 79

Two murders on a yacht leave the passengers on edge. A blackout occurs followed by another attempted murder. This should narrow down the list of suspects to those who weren’t gathered in the dining room. However, Detective Kogoro finds the power switch had a weight tied to it by rope, with a candle having burned the rope to drop the weight. This allowed the power to be turned off unattended.

小五郎(こごろう):
「一種(いっしゅ)の時限(じげん)装置(そうち)です」
“It's a timing device of sorts.”
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Time Periods and Duration

(Time)

時間(じかん) means time, an amount of time, or the interval between two points.

It combines 時 (time) with 間 (interval) to show a measured span of time.

Example 1 of 5: Broadcasting music at school with 放送
Example 1 of 5
Manga panel from からかい上手の高木さん showing example of Broadcasting music at school with 放送.
からかい上手の高木さん » Volume 19 » Page 88

Nishika and Takagi’s class discusses what committees they plan to join.

生徒(せいと):
「次(つぎ)の時間(じかん)委員会(いいんかい)決(ぎ)めだよねー。」
“Next up is deciding the committee schedule, right?”
生徒(せいと):
「私(わたし) 何(なに)にしよー」
“What should I pick?”
生徒(せいと):
「私(わたし) 放送(ほうそう)委員(いいん)で好(す)きな音楽(おんがく)流(なが)したいー。」
“I want to play my favorite music as a member of the broadcasting committee.”
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Example 2 of 5: Coming all the way out here with 足を運ぶ
Example 2 of 5
Manga panel from orange showing example of Coming all the way out here with 足を運ぶ.
orange » Volume 3 » Page 68

As Suwa and his friends leave Kakeru’s grandmother’s house, Suwa apologizes for the bother.

おばあさん:
「いいえ こんな所(ところ)まで足(あし)を運(はこ)んで下(くだ)さってとても素敵(すてき)な時間(じかん)をありがとう」
“No, thank you very much for coming all the way here and having such a wonderful time.”
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Example 3 of 5: Hidden behind the short hand with 短針
Example 3 of 5
Manga panel from 怪盗セイント・テール showing example of Hidden behind the short hand with 短針.
怪盗セイント・テール » Volume 1 » Page 54

Asuka Jr. is tasked with guarding a jeweled tiara, which Saint Tail has stated her intention to steal. The owner tells Asuka Jr. it’s been hidden behind the short hand on a clock tower, so Asuka Jr. waits below the face of the clock for Saint Tail’s arrival. He tells the owner that Saint Tail will likely arrive precisely at 6 o’clock.

アスカ Jr.:
「ここから短針(たんしん)に手(て)がとどくのは六(ろく)時(じ)だけです」
“The hour hand is only within reach from here at six o'clock.”
「ほかの時間(じかん)と針(はり)からティアラを盗(ぬす)みだすのは不可能(ふかのう)なんですよ」
“At any other time, it would be impossible to steal the tiara from the hand, you see.”
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Example 4 of 5: Never mind the time with いいから
Example 4 of 5
Manga panel from あしたは土曜日 showing example of Never mind the time with いいから.
あしたは土曜日 » Volume 春・夏 » Page 60

Yukari sees Mina with a kendama while between classes. She tells Mina they need to get to their next class, but Mina has decided not to head to the classroom until she successfully gets the ball onto the spike. Yukari tells Mina to hand it over to her to try.

ミナ:
「えーーー 時間(じかん)ないのに。」
“No way... I don't have time.”
ユカリ:
「いいから。」
“Never mind that.”
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Example 5 of 5: No time to return to headquarters with 本部
Example 5 of 5
Manga panel from ARIA The MASTERPIECE showing example of No time to return to headquarters with 本部.
ARIA The MASTERPIECE » Volume 3 » Page 286

Akari encounters Woody while he’s out on a delivery run. He stopped to show off for some kids, but in the process, he seems to have lost his city map, and he has a terrible sense of direction. Akari asks if he has the delivery addresses, which he says he does.

ウッディー:
「でも 本部(ほんぶ)まで地図(ちず)を取(と)りに戻(もど)る時間(じかん)がないのだぁ!」
“But I don't have time to go back to headquarters to get a map!!”
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Timekeeping and Measurement

(Clock)

時計(とけい) means a clock, watch, or other device that measures and displays time.

It combines 時 (time) with 計 (measure) to show a device that measures time.

Example 1 of 2: Dazed by a wristwatch with 気が遠くなる
Example 1 of 2
Manga panel from 美少女戦士セーラームーン showing example of Dazed by a wristwatch with 気が遠くなる.
美少女戦士セーラームーン » Volume 6 » Page 264

At the stroke of midnight, Chibiusa wakes to a mysterious glow from her new wristwatch. She gets out of bed in a daze, and begins to leave the room. Her cat, Diana, bites her on the arm, returning Chibiusa from her trance.

ちびうさ:
「この腕時計(うでとけい)見(み)てたら気(き)が遠(とお)くなったのよ〰〰」
“When I looked at this wristwatch, I became lightheaded〰”
「ダイアナ! ヘンよ この時計(とけい)!」
“Diana! Something is strange about this watch!”
「とにかく 一(いち)の橋(はし)公園(こうえん)へ行(い)ってみましょ! スモール・レディ!!」
“Anyway, let's try going to Ichinohashi Park! Small Lady!!”
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Example 2 of 2: Skilled clock maker with 職人
Example 2 of 2
Manga panel from 名探偵コナン showing example of Skilled clock maker with 職人.
名探偵コナン » Volume 17 » Page 118

Having received a letter requesting help solving a mystery, Kogoro finds himself in a house filled with animal designs everywhere, including the doors, the chairs, and the plates. His attention turns to the clocks covering the walls.

小五郎(こごろう):
「しかし動物(どうぶつ)もさることながら、時計(とけい)もたくさんありますなー...」
“But aside from the animals, there are also a lot of clocks, huh...”
男(おとこ):
「当(あ)たり前(まえ)ですよ... 祖父(そふ)は時計(とけい)職人(しょくにん)だったんですから...」
“Of course there are... Grandfather was a clock maker, after all...”
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(Time)

時刻(じこく) means a specific clock time or appointed hour.

It combines 時 (time) with 刻 (moment) to show a marked point in time.

Manga panel from 名探偵コナン showing example of Timed explosion with 時限爆弾.
名探偵コナン » Volume 4 » Page 89

Conan overhears Gin and Vodka discuss a bomb they’ve planted. There’s little time left for Conan to find the bomb and get it off the bullet train before it explodes. As he tries to determine who is unknowingly carrying the bomb, he thinks back to what the two had said.

ジン:
「爆発(ばくはつ)時刻(じこく)は3時(じ)10分(ぷん)だ...」
“The explosion time is 3:10.”
ウォッカ:
「時限(じげん)爆弾(ばくだん)ですかい?」
“Is it a time bomb?”
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