〜時〜分です (-ji -fun desu) — telling the time
The basic pattern for telling clock time.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
Meaning
- To tell the time from a clock: number + 時 (じ, o'clock), then if needed number + 分 (ふん／ぷん, minutes), and です at the end.
- 七時です = It is seven o'clock; 三時十五分です = It is 3:15.
- For "half past", use 半 (はん): 九時半 = half past nine.
Watch out
- A few numbers sound a little different — memorize these three: 四時 = よじ, 七時 = しちじ, 九時 = くじ.
- Minutes also shift sound in 一分 (いっぷん), 三分 (さんぷん), 十分 (じゅっぷん) — you get used to it by listening.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
今、七時です。
いま、しちじです。
It's seven o'clock now.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 七 (seven) ──> [ + 時 ✅ ] ──> 七時 (しちじ, seven o'clock) ──> [ + です ] ──> 七時です. 今 (now) is added in front.
九時半です。
くじはんです。
It's half past nine.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 九 (nine) ──> [ + 時 ✅ ] ──> 九時 (くじ) ──> "half past" ➔ [ + 半 ✅ ] ──> 九時半 ──> [ + です ] ──> 九時半です (it's half past nine).
三時十五分です。
さんじじゅうごふんです。
It's three fifteen.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 三 ──> [ + 時 ] ──> 三時 ──> 十五 ──> [ + 分 ✅ ] ──> 十五分 ──> join both, then [ + です ] ──> 三時十五分です.
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
How do you say "It's three fifteen"?
💡 Hint: First 時 (o'clock), then 分 (minutes), ending with です.
三時 (three o'clock) + 十五分 (fifteen minutes) + です = 三時十五分です.
What is the correct reading of 「四時」?
💡 Hint: 四 has an irregular reading here.
四時 is read "yoji", not "yonji" or "shiji".
How is 「九時」read?
💡 Hint: 九 is irregular with time.
九時 is read "kuji".
Your score: /3