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.

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)過(す)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.

Related Words

Compare: へ (direction marker (toward))
general
Added 2026.2.12 8:55 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
10500/10983_sanji