Telling Time Vocabulary for N5 | Examples & Quiz
Study Telling Time for N5 with Japanese words, romaji, English meanings, example sentences, pronunciation support, and beginner practice.
Asking and answering what time it is will be one of the most frequent conversations you have during travel in Japan.
Quick Meaning Box
Understand the core meaning first
Main Japanese
いちじ
ichiji
English Meaning
1 o'clock
Nepali Meaning
एक बजे
Romaji
ichiji
Level
JLPT N5
Complete lesson list
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| いちじ | ichiji | 1 o'clock | |
| にじ | niji | 2 o'clock | |
| よじ | yoji | 4 o'clock | |
| ごじ | goji | 5 o'clock | |
| はん | han | Half past (30 min) | |
| ごぜん | gozen | AM / Before noon | |
| ごご | gogo | PM / Afternoon | |
| ふん | fun | Minutes (e.g. ごふん = 5 min) |
How To Use It
Use Telling Time correctly
Simple Explanation
Use this vocabulary when the situation matches the meaning. First connect the Japanese sound to the meaning, then use it inside a short sentence.
Sentence Structure
いちじ (ichiji) = 1 o'clock
Start with this simple structure before making longer sentences.
When To Use
Use it in beginner reading, short answers, daily-life examples, and JLPT review questions where the topic appears naturally.
When Not To Use
Do not force it into every sentence. If another word, particle, or grammar pattern expresses the idea more naturally, choose that instead.
- Japanese learners grow faster when they notice how this topic appears in everyday routines, classroom language, and common study examples.
- Even simple vocabulary lessons become more memorable when students connect them to real situations instead of treating them like a word list only.
Open the full beginner explanation
Hourly Counters (~時 / Ji)
Suffix 時 (ji) to the number. Warning the exceptions!
- 4:00 is Yo-ji (Not yon-ji).
- 7:00 is Shichi-ji (Not nana-ji).
- 9:00 is Ku-ji (Not kyuu-ji).
Minute Counters (~分 / Fun/Pun)
Minutes are tricky because the pronunciation of 'fun' changes depending on the number.
- Pun: 1 (Ippun), 3 (Sanpun), 4 (Yonpun), 6 (Roppun), 8 (Happun), 10 (Juppun).
- Fun: 2 (Nifun), 5 (Gofun), 7 (Nanafun), 9 (Kyuufun).
- Half past: Use 半 (han). 2:30 = 'Ni-ji han'.
AM and PM
In Japan, AM/PM markers come BEFORE the time.
- 午前 (Gozen): AM (Gozen ku-ji = 9:00 AM)
- 午後 (Gogo): PM (Gogo san-ji = 3:00 PM)
Formula / Pattern Box
Memorize the reusable pattern
Pattern 1
いちじ (ichiji) = 1 o'clock
Pattern 2
いちじ + です
Pattern 3
いちじ + を / が + verb
Pattern 4
Time or place + particle + いちじ
Example Sentences
Read, repeat, and understand the usage
Example 1
今、何時ですか。
Ima, nan-ji desu ka.
English
What time is it now?
Nepali
अहिले कति बज्यो?
- Focus: 今、何時ですか。
- Meaning: What time is it now?
- Role: Use it as the key lesson item.
Example 2
午後５時半です。
Gogo go-ji han desu.
English
It is 5:30 PM.
Nepali
साँझ ५:३० बजेको छ।
- Focus: 午後５時半です。
- Meaning: It is 5:30 PM.
- Role: Use it as the key lesson item.
Common Mistakes
Avoid the beginner traps
Mistake 1
Wrong
Memorize only: "1 o'clock"
Correct
Read いちじ, say the meaning, then use it in one short sentence.
Trying to memorize Telling Time only by translation instead of noticing how it appears in real Japanese patterns.
Mistake 2
Wrong
Memorize only: "1 o'clock"
Correct
Read いちじ, say the meaning, then use it in one short sentence.
Reviewing the list once and assuming the lesson is finished without testing recall later.
Mistake 3
Wrong
Memorize only: "1 o'clock"
Correct
Read いちじ, say the meaning, then use it in one short sentence.
Skipping speaking or writing practice, which makes the lesson harder to use actively.
Practice Section
Turn passive reading into active memory
Task 1
Fill in the blank
Complete the sentence: いちじ means 1 o'clock.
Task 2
Multiple choice
Choose the best meaning for いちじ before checking the lesson list.
Task 3
Sentence building
Make one short beginner sentence using いちじ. Keep it simple.
Task 4
Translation practice
Translate this idea into Japanese: 1 o'clock.
Extra practice prompts
- Write two original sentences that use Telling Time naturally.
- Review the lesson once without notes, then check what you missed.
- Explain the main meaning of this topic in simple English as if teaching another beginner.
Self-check before moving on
- Can I explain the main purpose of Telling Time without reading the notes?
- Can I use at least one example from this lesson in my own sentence?
- Can I come back tomorrow and still remember the key meaning or pattern?
Mini Quiz
Check your understanding
Q1. What does いちじ mean?
Q2. What does にじ mean?
Q3. What does よじ mean?
Q4. What does ごじ mean?
Q5. What does はん mean?
Q6. What does ごぜん mean?
Q7. What does ごご mean?
Q8. What does ふん mean?
Show answer key
- 1 o'clock
- 2 o'clock
- 4 o'clock
- 5 o'clock
- Half past (30 min)
- AM / Before noon
- PM / Afternoon
- Minutes (e.g. ごふん = 5 min)
Real Life Usage
Use the lesson outside flashcards
Conversation Example
A: いちじ？
B: はい、いちじです。
ichiji - 1 o'clock
Classroom Example
A teacher may ask you to read, choose, or explain いちじ during a beginner review.
Daily Life Example
Use いちじ when the meaning "1 o'clock" appears in a simple real situation.
Use Telling Time in a short real-life scene
Imagine you are studying or interacting in a simple daily situation where JLPT N5 Japanese is enough. Your goal is to use this lesson clearly and naturally, not perfectly.
- Create one short scene that includes Telling Time.
- Say or write two useful lines connected to the topic.
- Review what felt difficult and repeat the scene one more time with better accuracy.
FAQ
Common beginner questions
Does Japan use a 24-hour clock?
Yes, train stations and official schedules often use the 24-hour 'Military' time (e.g., 18:00 for 6 PM), but people use 12-hour AM/PM in conversation.
Summary Box
What to remember
Key Point
Telling Time becomes useful when you can recognize it, explain it simply, and use it in one short sentence.
Pattern
いちじ (ichiji) = 1 o'clock
Next Action
Review with a practice tool3 must-remember examples
- 今、何時ですか。 - What time is it now?
- 午後５時半です。 - It is 5:30 PM.