四六時中(しろくじちゅう)

しろくじちゅう
adverb
around the clock; day and night; all the time
time-general
1. around the clock, all the time, day and night
Constantly, without interruption. Emphasizes that something continues throughout the entire day. Derived from 4 × 6 = 24 (hours).
四六時中(しろくじちゅう)スマホを見(み)ている。
You're looking at your phone all the time.
彼(かれ)は四六時中(しろくじちゅう)仕事(しごと)のことを考(かんが)えている。
He thinks about work around the clock.
赤(あか)ちゃんが生(う)まれてから、四六時中(しろくじちゅう)目(め)が離(はな)せない。
Since the baby was born, I can't take my eyes off them day or night.

Etymology

From 四(し) × 六(ろく) = 24, referring to the 24 hours in a day. An older form 二六時中(にろくじちゅう) (2 × 6 = 12) referred to the old Japanese system of 12 time divisions per day.

Usage

Often carries a slightly exaggerated or critical tone, implying someone is doing something too much or obsessively.

Common collocations

Related Words

Compare: 日夜(にちや) (day and night, constantly)
general
Added 2026.3.24 9:56 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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