時間・季節

今日は結婚けっこん記念日きねんびなのでレストランレストランを予約よやくした。

Today is our wedding anniversary, so I booked a restaurant.

Usage 記念日 is an anniversary or commemorative day: 結婚記念日, 創立記念日 (founding day). 記念 alone: 記念写真 (commemorative photo), 記念品 (souvenir gift).

Remember it 記 (to record) + 念 (memory) + 日 (day) → a day recorded in memory.

祝日しゅくじつは電車でんしゃが込こんでいる。

Trains are crowded on national holidays.

Usage 祝日 is a national holiday: 国民の祝日. 休日 (きゅうじつ) is any day off. When a 祝日 falls on Sunday, Monday becomes a 振替休日 (substitute holiday).

Remember it 祝 (to celebrate) + 日 (day) → a day of celebration.

お正月しょうがつに家族かぞくみんなでお雑煮おぞうにを食たべた。

At New Year, the whole family ate ozoni soup together.

Usage お正月 is the New Year holiday, the biggest of the Japanese year: 初詣 (first shrine visit), お年玉 (money gifts for children), おせち料理 (New Year dishes), 年賀状 (New Year cards).

Remember it 正 (correct, proper) + 月 (month) → the proper opening month of the year.

節分せつぶんに豆まめをまきまきながら「鬼おには外そと！福ふくは内うち！」と言いう。

At Setsubun, people throw beans and shout, 'Demons out! Luck in!'

Usage 節分 falls around February 3rd, the day before spring begins in the old calendar. People throw beans (豆まき) and eat 恵方巻き (a sushi roll eaten facing the year's lucky direction).

Remember it 節 (season, joint) + 分 (division) → the division between seasons.

お花見はなみの季節きせつになると公園こうえんに人ひとが集あつまる。

When cherry blossom season comes, people gather in the parks.

Usage お花見 is cherry blossom viewing, usually a picnic under the trees. TV tracks the 桜前線 (cherry blossom front) as it moves north. 花より団子 = dumplings over flowers (substance over style).

Remember it 花 (flower) + 見る (to see) → flower viewing.

お盆ぼんには先祖せんぞの霊れいが戻もどってくると言いわれている。

It is said that during Obon, the spirits of ancestors return.

Usage お盆 is a Buddhist festival in mid-August when ancestral spirits are welcomed home: 盆踊り (Bon dancing), お盆休み (the Obon break). Trains and highways are packed with people going home.

Remember it 盆 (tray, basin) → short for 盂蘭盆, from a Sanskrit word for the festival.

大晦日おおみそかの夜よるに除夜の鐘じょやのかねを聞きいた。

On New Year's Eve, I listened to the temple bells ring.

Usage 大晦日 is New Year's Eve: 除夜の鐘 (108 temple bell tolls), 年越しそば (soba eaten to see out the year), 紅白歌合戦 (the big year-end TV song show).

Remember it 大 (big) + 晦日 (the last day of the month) → the big last day, the last day of the year.

元旦がんたんに初詣はつもうでに行いって今年ことしの無事ぶじを祈いのった。

On New Year's Day I made my first shrine visit and prayed for a safe year.

Usage 元旦 is New Year's Day, strictly its morning. 年賀状 (New Year cards) are dated 元旦. 元日 (がんじつ) is the whole day of January 1st.

Remember it 元 (beginning) + 旦 (dawn: the sun 日 over the horizon 一) → the first dawn of the year.

この週末しゅうまつは特とくに予定よていがない。

I don't have any particular plans this weekend.

Usage 予定 is something already arranged: 予定がある, 予定を立てる (make plans), 予定通り (as planned). Verb + 予定です means you're scheduled to. つもり is only an intention.

Remember it 予 (beforehand) + 定 (settled) → settled in advance.

約束やくそくの時間じかんに遅刻ちこくしてしまった。

I was late for the time we'd agreed on.

Usage 約束 is a promise or appointment: 約束を守る (keep a promise), 約束を破る (break one), 友達と約束する. For a business appointment, アポ is common.

Remember it 約 (to bind, promise) + 束 (bundle) → a promise binds two people like a tied bundle.

電車でんしゃが遅延ちえんして会議かいぎに遅刻ちこくしてしまった。

The train was delayed and I was late for the meeting.

Usage 遅刻する = to be late for a set start time: 会議に遅刻する. It is more pointed than 遅れる. Punctuality matters a lot in Japan: 遅刻厳禁 (no lateness).

Remember it 遅 (slow, late) + 刻 (a marked moment in time) → missing the marked moment.

体調たいちょうが悪わるくて早退そうたいさせてもらった。

I wasn't feeling well, so I was allowed to leave early.

Usage 早退する = to leave school or work early. It belongs to a trio of attendance words: 遅刻 (late), 早退 (left early), 欠席 (absent).

Remember it 早 (early) + 退 (to withdraw) → withdrawing early.

体調不良たいちょうふりょうで会議かいぎを欠席けっせきした。

I missed the meeting because I wasn't feeling well.

Usage 欠席する = to be absent: 会議を欠席する, 欠席届 (absence notice), 無断欠席 (absence without notice). Its opposite is 出席 (attendance).

Remember it 欠 (missing) + 席 (seat) → an empty seat.

全員ぜんいんが出席しゅっせきしたので会議かいぎを始はじめた。

Everyone was present, so we started the meeting.

Usage 出席する = to attend: 会議に出席する, 出席を取る (take attendance), 出席率 (attendance rate). For events like weddings, 出席 vs 欠席 is what you tick on the RSVP card.

Remember it 出 (to go out) + 席 (seat) → going out to take your seat.

始業しぎょう時間じかんの5分ふん前まえには席せきについていてください。

Please be at your desk five minutes before work starts.

Usage 始業 is the start of work or the school term: 始業時間 (starting time), 始業式 (opening ceremony of a term). Its opposite is 終業 (しゅうぎょう).

Remember it 始 (to begin) + 業 (work) → work beginning.

締め切りしめきりまであと3日にちしかない。

There are only three days left until the deadline.

Usage 締め切り is a deadline for submissions or applications: 締め切りに間に合う (make the deadline), 締め切りを過ぎる (miss it), 締め切り延長 (extension).

Remember it 締める (to close, tighten) + 切る (to cut) → the point where things are closed and cut off.

書類しょるいの提出ていしゅつ期限きげんは来週らいしゅう月曜日げつようびだ。

The deadline for submitting the documents is next Monday.

Usage 期限 is a time limit, often more formal than 締め切り: 提出期限, 有効期限 (expiry date), 期限切れ (expired), 期限内に (within the time limit).

Remember it 期 (period) + 限 (limit) → the limit of the period.

支払いしはらいの猶予ゆうよをお願いおねがいしたい。

I'd like to ask for a grace period on the payment.

Usage 猶予 is a grace period or postponement: 支払いの猶予, 猶予期間. In law, 執行猶予 is a suspended sentence. 一刻の猶予もない = there's not a moment to lose.

Remember it 猶 (to hesitate) + 予 (beforehand) → holding off a while longer.

台風たいふうのためイベントイベントが延期えんきされた。

The event was postponed because of the typhoon.

Usage 延期する = to postpone: 延期になる, 雨天延期 (postponed if it rains), 無期延期 (postponed indefinitely). 中止 (ちゅうし) is cancellation.

Remember it 延 (to extend) + 期 (date) → extending the date.

会議かいぎを来週らいしゅうから今週こんしゅうに繰り上げくりあげた。

We moved the meeting up from next week to this week.

Usage 繰り上げる = to move something earlier: 繰り上げ返済 (paying off a loan early), 繰り上げ当選 (winning a seat when someone drops out). The opposite is 繰り下げる or 延期.

Remember it 繰る (to reel, turn over) + 上げる (to raise) → turning the date forward.

今月こんげつ使つかわなかった予算よさんを来月らいげつに繰り越しくりこした。

I carried this month's unused budget over to next month.

Usage 繰り越す = to carry over: 予算の繰り越し, 繰越金 (balance brought forward), 有給の繰り越し (carrying over paid leave).

Remember it 繰る (to reel, turn over) + 越す (to pass over) → turning it over into the next period.

翌日よくじつになっても熱ねつが下さがらなかった。

Even the next day, my fever hadn't gone down.

Usage 翌日 is the formal 'next day', relative to a past or planned event: 翌朝 (next morning), 翌週, 翌月, 翌年. In conversation, 次の日.

Remember it 翌 (following: 羽 wings + 立) → the day that follows on wings.

試験しけんの前日ぜんじつは早はやく寝ねるようにした。

The day before the exam, I made sure to go to bed early.

Usage 前日 is the day before an event: 試験の前日, 前日に準備する. Its opposite is 翌日. 当日 is the day itself.

Remember it 前 (before) + 日 (day) → the day before.

当日とうじつ券けんは残のこり少すくないのでお早はやめに。

There are few same-day tickets left, so come early.

Usage 当日 is the day of the event: 当日券 (same-day tickets), 当日キャンセル (same-day cancellation), 当日中に (by the end of the day).

Remember it 当 (that very, current) + 日 (day) → that very day.

今年度こんねんどの目標もくひょうを達成たっせいすることができた。

I was able to achieve my goals for this fiscal year.

Usage 年度 is the fiscal or school year, which in Japan runs April to March: 今年度 (this fiscal year), 年度末 (the end of March, a very busy time), 新年度 (the new year starting in April).

Remember it 年 (year) + 度 (degree, measure) → the year as a unit of measure.

第一だいいち四半期しはんきの売上うりあげは好調こうちょうだった。

Sales in the first quarter were strong.

Usage 四半期 is a quarter of the year: 第一四半期 (Q1), 四半期決算 (quarterly results), 四半期ごと (every quarter).

Remember it 四 (four) + 半 (half) + 期 (period) → half of a half: a quarter period.

3月さんがつは年度末ねんどまつで繁忙期はんぼうきのため残業ざんぎょうが多おおい。

March is the end of the fiscal year and a busy period, so there's lots of overtime.

Usage 繁忙期 is the busy season: 年末の繁忙期. Its opposite is 閑散期. Travel prices rise in the 繁忙期 around Golden Week, Obon and New Year.

Remember it 繁 (thriving) + 忙 (busy) + 期 (period) → the thriving, busy period.

閑散期かんさんきはホテルホテルの値段ねだんが安やすくなる。

Hotel prices drop in the off-season.

Usage 閑散期 is the off-season or slow period: 閑散期は安い. 閑散とした means deserted: 閑散とした商店街 (a deserted shopping street).

Remember it 閑 (quiet, leisure) + 散 (scattered) + 期 (period) → a quiet period with people scattered.

日没にちぼつが早はやくなって秋あきを感かんじた。

The sun has started setting earlier, and I could feel autumn coming.

Usage 日没 is sunset, used in forecasts and formal writing: 日没時刻 (sunset time), 日没後 (after dark). Its opposite is 日の出 (ひので). In conversation, 日が沈む.

Remember it 日 (sun) + 没 (to sink) → the sun sinking.

夜明けよあけまで勉強べんきょうして試験しけんに臨のぞんだ。

I studied until dawn and then went into the exam.

Usage 夜明け is daybreak: 夜明け前 (before dawn), 夜が明ける (day breaks). Figuratively, the dawn of an era: 新時代の夜明け.

Remember it 夜 (night) + 明ける (to open, dawn) → the night opening into day.

歳月さいげつが経たつのは早はやいものだ。

How quickly the years go by.

Usage 歳月 is the passing years, literary in tone: 歳月が流れる (the years pass), 長い歳月をかけて (over many long years). 歳月人を待たず = time waits for no one.

Remember it 歳 (years of age) + 月 (months) → years and months.

暦こよみの上うえでは春はるだがまだまだ寒さむい。

According to the calendar it's spring, but it's still cold.

Usage 暦 is a calendar system or almanac: 暦の上では (according to the calendar), 旧暦 (the old lunar calendar), 和暦 (the Japanese era calendar, like 令和).

Remember it 厤 (orderly arrangement) + 日 (day) → days set out in order.

二十四節気にじゅうしせっきは農業のうぎょうと深ふかく関かかわっている。

The 24 solar terms are closely tied to agriculture.

Usage 節気 are the solar terms: 二十四節気 divides the year into 24 parts, such as 立春 (start of spring), 夏至 (summer solstice) and 冬至 (winter solstice).

Remember it 節 (joint, season) + 気 (air, climate) → the joints where the climate turns.

今年はうるう年うるうどしなので2月がつが29日にちまである。

This year is a leap year, so February has 29 days.

Usage うるう年 (閏年) is a leap year, every four years. うるう秒 is a leap second. Someone born on February 29th is うるう年生まれ.

Remember it Kanji form 閏: 王 (king) inside 門 (gate). In old China, the king stayed inside the gate during the extra month.

この問題もんだいは一時的いちじてきなものなのでご安心あんしんください。

This problem is only temporary, so please don't worry.

Usage 一時的 = temporary, passing: 一時的な措置 (a stopgap), 一時的に止まる (stop temporarily). 暫定的 (ざんていてき) is provisional, pending a final decision.

Remember it 一時 (one time, a while) + 的 → for just a while.

質問しつもんに即座そくざに答こたえることができた。

I was able to answer the question on the spot.

Usage 即座に = immediately, on the spot: 即座に答える, 即座に断る (refuse flatly). It is more formal than すぐに. 即答 (そくとう) = an instant answer.

Remember it 即 (at once) + 座 (seat) → at once, without leaving your seat.

この折おりにぜひご挨拶あいさつさせてください。

Please allow me to take this opportunity to introduce myself.

Usage 折 (おり) is a formal word for occasion: この折に (on this occasion), 折を見て (when the time is right), お近くにお越しの折は (when you're in the area). Common in letters.

Remember it 折 (to fold) → a fold in time, the moment when things turn.

そろそろ頃合いころあいだから出発しゅっぱつしよう。

It's about the right time, so let's head out.

Usage 頃合い is the right moment: 頃合いを見計らう (wait for the right moment). It also means just right: 頃合いの値段 (a reasonable price).

Remember it 頃 (time, around) + 合い (fitting) → the time that fits.

日程にっていは暫定ざんていなので変更へんこうになる可能性かのうせいがある。

The schedule is tentative, so it may change.

Usage 暫定 = provisional, tentative, used in official contexts: 暫定的, 暫定予算 (provisional budget), 暫定1位 (provisionally in first place).

Remember it 暫 (for a while) + 定 (to decide) → decided for the time being.

その事件じけんはすでに時効じこうになっていた。

The statute of limitations on that case had already run out.

Usage 時効 is the statute of limitations: 時効が成立する (the time limit has passed). Jokingly, もう時効だよ means it was so long ago it doesn't count anymore.

Remember it 時 (time) + 効 (effect) → time taking effect, until the case expires.

期間限定きかんげんていの商品しょうひんは売り切れうりきれが早はやい。

Limited-time products sell out quickly.

Usage 期間限定 = available for a limited time only: 期間限定メニュー, 期間限定セール. Japanese shops love seasonal limited editions, like sakura flavors in spring.

Remember it 期間 (period) + 限定 (limited) → limited to a period.

30歳さんじゅっさい前後ぜんごの方かたを対象たいしょうにしたサービスです。

This service is aimed at people around 30 years old.

Usage After a number, 前後 means about: 30歳前後, 3時前後. On its own it means before and after, or front and back: 食事の前後 (before and after meals), 前後左右 (all directions).

Remember it 前 (before) + 後 (after) → a little before or after. Roughly.