何時(なんじ)

何時(なんじ) is the question word for asking about time. Combines 何(なん) (what) + 時(じ) (the counter for o'clock).

Common patterns

• 今(いま)何時(なんじ)?: What time is it now?
• 何時(なんじ)に〜?: At what time ~?
• 何時(なんじ)から何時(なんじ)まで: from what time to what time

Pronunciation

Irregular readings to remember:

• 四時(よじ) (not しじ)
• 七時(しちじ) (ななじ is also heard)
• 九時(くじ)

Watch out

いつ asks "when" in general — a day, a season, a year. 何時(なんじ) asks specifically for a clock time. 明日(あした)いつ会(あ)いますか asks which occasion; 何時(なんじ)に会(あ)いますか asks the hour. The kanji 何時(いつ) is also an old spelling of いつ; modern writing uses kana for いつ, so 何時(なんじ) on its own is read なんじ.

COMMON PATTERNS (minutes):
Use 何分(なんぷん) to ask about minutes. Combined: 何時(なんじ)何分(なんぷん)？