1.
school dismissal time; time to go home from school
The designated time at which students are expected to leave school and head home. In Japan, this is often set by the school and may vary by season.
下校時間は三時です。
Dismissal time is three o'clock.
冬は下校時間が早くなる。
In winter, dismissal time becomes earlier.
下校時間を過ぎても学校に残っている生徒は、先生に注意された。
Students who remained at school past dismissal time were warned by the teacher.
Composed of 下校 (leaving school, going home from school) and 時間 (time). Refers to the official time set by the school for students to leave.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 下校時間を守る: to observe the dismissal time
- 下校時間を過ぎる: to go past dismissal time
- 下校時間が早まる: dismissal time moves earlier
- 下校時間の変更: change in dismissal time
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
Japanese schools typically set a 下校時間 that students must observe. In many elementary schools, this is announced over loudspeakers in the neighborhood. The time often changes seasonally — earlier in winter when it gets dark sooner, and later in summer.
RELATED TERMS:
- 下校: leaving school / going home from school — the base word
- 登校時間: time to arrive at school — the opposite
- 放課後: after school — the period after classes end