砂時計(すなどけい)

すなどけい
noun
hourglass; sandglass
tooltime-general
1. hourglass; sandglass; sand timer
A timing device consisting of two glass bulbs joined at a narrow neck, with sand flowing from the upper to the lower bulb to measure a fixed interval. Modern small versions are often used for cooking, tea brewing, or showers.
砂時計(すなどけい)をひっくり返(かえ)す。
I'll flip the hourglass over.
三(さん)分(ぷん)の砂時計(すなどけい)で紅茶(こうちゃ)の時間(じかん)を計(はか)る。
I'll time the tea with a three-minute hourglass.
砂時計(すなどけい)の砂(すな)が落(お)ちきるのを眺(なが)めていると、時間(じかん)が経(た)つのを忘(わす)れてしまう。
Watching the sand finish falling in the hourglass, I lose track of time.

Compound of 砂(すな) (sand) + 時計(とけい) (clock). The 時(と) is pronounced ど, not と, due to 連濁(れんだく) voicing.

Common collocations

Usage

Apart from the literal object, 砂時計(すなどけい) is sometimes used metaphorically for the passage of time or a deadline running out, especially in song lyrics and titles.

general
Added 2026.5.13 12:09 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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