十二時(じゅうにじ)

じゅうにじ
noun
twelve o'clock
1. twelve o'clock
The time at twelve hours past midnight or noon. Noon or midnight.
十二時(じゅうにじ)に昼(ひる)ごはんを食(た)べる。
I eat lunch at twelve o'clock.
毎日(まいにち)十二時(じゅうにじ)に寝(ね)る。
I go to bed at twelve o'clock every day.
昼(ひる)の十二時(じゅうにじ)に駅(えき)で会(あ)いましょう。
Let's meet at the station at noon.

十二時(じゅうにじ) can refer to either noon or midnight. Without context, it is ambiguous, so speakers often add a clarifying word.

CLARIFYING EXPRESSIONS:

  • 昼(ひる)の十二時(じゅうにじ): noon (12:00 PM)
  • 夜(よる)の十二時(じゅうにじ): midnight (12:00 AM)
  • 正午(しょうご): noon (formal, unambiguous)
  • 真夜中(まよなか): midnight (unambiguous)

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 十二時半(じゅうにじはん): 12:30
  • 十二時(じゅうにじ)ちょうど: exactly twelve o'clock
  • 十二時(じゅうにじ)過(す)ぎ: past twelve

CULTURAL NOTE:
In Japan, 昼休(ひるやす)み (lunch break) typically starts at noon, so 十二時(じゅうにじ) without qualification often implies lunchtime in workplace and school contexts.

general
Added 2026.2.12 8:55 · Revised 2026.3.25 18:40
10500/10981_juuniji