(さんじ)

さんじ
noun
three o'clock
1. three o'clock
The time at three hours past midnight or noon.
三時(さんじ)()おう。
Let's meet at three o'clock.
会議(かいぎ)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(ちゃ)()むのが習慣(しゅうかん)です。
It's my habit to have tea at three in the afternoon.

Three o'clock. Without 午前(ごぜん)/午後(ごご), context determines whether it means 3 AM or 3 PM.

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)()ぎ: past three o'clock

CULTURAL NOTE:
三時(さんじ)のおやつ (three o'clock snack) is a well-known concept in Japan. The afternoon snack break is traditionally associated with 3 PM, stemming from an old custom of having a light meal between lunch and dinner.