Time and occasions with 時
時 represents time, a specific moment, or a particular period.
Etymology
This kanji is a phono-semantic compound comprised of 日 (sun) as the semantic component and 寺 as the phonetic component, giving the on-reading 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
時限 (Time limit)
時限 means a fixed period or division of time, such as a class period.
It combines 時 (time) with 限 (limit) to show a time boundary or fixed time period.
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:
- 「一種の時限装置です」
- “It's a timing device of sorts.”
Time Periods and Duration
時間 (Time)
時間 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.
Nishika and Takagi’s class discusses what committees they plan to join.
- 生徒:
- 「次の時間委員会決めだよねー。」
- “Next up is deciding the committee schedule, right?”
- 生徒:
- 「私 何にしよー」
- “What should I pick?”
- 生徒:
- 「私 放送委員で好きな音楽流したいー。」
- “I want to play my favorite music as a member of the broadcasting committee.”
Timekeeping and Measurement
時計 (Clock)
時計 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.
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:
- 「この腕時計見てたら気が遠くなったのよ〰〰」
- “When I looked at this wristwatch, I became lightheaded〰”
- 「ダイアナ！ ヘンよ この時計！」
- “Diana! Something is strange about this watch!”
- 「とにかく 一の橋公園へ行ってみましょ！ スモール・レディ！！」
- “Anyway, let's try going to Ichinohashi Park! Small Lady!!”
- “When I looked at this wristwatch, I became lightheaded〰”
時刻 (Time)
時刻 means a specific clock time or appointed hour.
It combines 時 (time) with 刻 (moment) to show a marked point in time.
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:
- 「爆発時刻は３時１０分だ．．．」
- “The explosion time is 3:10.”
- ウォッカ:
- 「時限爆弾ですかい？」
- “Is it a time bomb?”