Learn Japanese Kanji - Aesthetic Guide

Lesson 11: 時 (Time)

Radicals in 時

The kanji 時 (toki, meaning "time," or ji in compounds) is a character that captures the flow and measurement of moments. It is classified under the 日 (sun) radical, tying it to the passage of days and natural cycles.

日 (Sun Radical): The left part, Radical 72, means "sun" or "day," symbolizing the daily rhythm that defines time.
寺 (Temple Radical): The right part, Radical 32 (土, earth) with 寸 (inch/hand), originally meant "temple" but here suggests precision or a measured moment, as temples were historically linked to timekeeping.

Visually, 時 pairs the sun (日) with a measured structure (寺), evoking time as a cycle of days marked with intention—a poetic blend of nature and human awareness. Fun fact: Its connection to the sun reflects how ancient societies tracked time through solar movements.

Examples of 時 in Use

Here are some common words and phrases using 時:

時 (toki)

Meaning: Time / Moment

Hiragana: とき

Example: 時が過ぎる。
(Toki ga sugiru.)
"Time passes."

時間 (jikan)

Meaning: Time / Hours

Hiragana: じかん

Example: 時間が足りない。
(Jikan ga tarinai.)
"There’s not enough time."

時代 (jidai)

Meaning: Era / Period

Hiragana: じだい

Example: 時代が変わった。
(Jidai ga kawatta.)
"The era has changed."

時計 (tokei)

Meaning: Clock / Watch

Hiragana: とけい

Example: 時計を見る。
(Tokei o miru.)
"I look at the clock."

一時 (ichiji)

Meaning: One o’clock / Temporarily

Hiragana: いちじ

Example: 一時に会おう。
(Ichiji ni aō.)
"Let’s meet at one o’clock."

時々 (tokidoki)

Meaning: Sometimes

Hiragana: ときどき

Example: 時々雨が降る。
(Tokidoki ame ga furu.)
"It rains sometimes."

同時 (dōji)

Meaning: Simultaneous

Hiragana: どうじ

Example: 同時進行だ。
(Dōji shinkō da.)
"It’s happening simultaneously."

時期 (jiki)

Meaning: Season / Period

Hiragana: じき

Example: 時期が悪い。
(Jiki ga warui.)
"The timing is bad."

正時 (seiji)

Meaning: On the hour / Exact time

Hiragana: せいじ

Example: 正時に始まる。
(Seiji ni hajimaru.)
"It starts on the hour."

時の流れ (toki no nagare)

Meaning: Flow of time

Hiragana: ときのながれ

Example: 時の流れを感じる。
(Toki no nagare o kanjiru.)
"I feel the flow of time."

The kanji 時 embodies the essence of time, blending the natural rhythm of the sun with the precision of measured moments.