三時(さんじ)

さんじ
noun
three o'clock
time-general
1. three o'clock
The time at three hours past midnight or noon.
三時(さんじ)に会(あ)おう。
Let's meet at three o'clock.
会議(かいぎ)は三時(さんじ)からです。
The meeting starts at three o'clock.
午後(ごご)三時(さんじ)にお茶(ちゃ)を飲(の)むのが習慣(しゅうかん)です。
It's my habit to have tea at three in the afternoon.

Usage

Without 午前(ごぜん)/午後(ごご), context decides whether it means 3 a.m. or 3 p.m.

Common patterns

  • 午前(ごぜん)三時(さんじ): 3 AM
  • 午後(ごご)三時(さんじ): 3 PM
  • 三時半(さんじはん): 3:30
  • 三時(さんじ)過(す)ぎ: past three o'clock

Cultural note

三時(さんじ)のおやつ (the three o'clock snack) is a fixed phrase: children in Japan traditionally have their afternoon snack at three. The word おやつ itself comes from 八(や)つ, the old name for the hour around 2 to 3 p.m.

general
Added 2026.2.12 8:55 · Revised 2026.10.13 3:22
10500/10983_sanji