七時(しちじ)

Pronunciation

Both しちじ and ななじ are used for "seven o'clock." しちじ is the traditional reading and more common overall. ななじ is sometimes preferred to avoid confusion with 一時(いちじ) (one o'clock) or 四時(よじ) (four o'clock) in noisy environments.

Common patterns

• 朝(あさ)七時(しちじ): 7 a.m.
• 夜(よる)七時(しちじ): 7 p.m.
• 七時半(しちじはん): 7:30
• 七時(しちじ)ちょうど: exactly 7 o'clock
• 七時(しちじ)過(す)ぎ: past 7 o'clock

THE 七(しち) VARIATION:
The number 7 has two readings throughout the counting system:

• しち: used in 七時(しちじ), 七月(しちがつ) (July)
• なな: used in 七日(なのか) (7th day), 七(なな)つ (seven items)

In time-telling, しちじ is standard, but ななじ is understood.