Japanese dictionary
How to say "clock" in Japanese
時計とけい · tokei
"Clock" in Japanese is 時計 (tokei). The same word also means a watch. A wristwatch is 腕時計 (udedokei).
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Ways to say "clock" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 時計とけい · tokei | Clock; watch. |
| 掛け時計かけどけい · kakedokei | Wall clock. |
| 目覚まし時計めざましどけい · mezamashi dokei | Alarm clock. |
| 腕時計うでどけい · udedokei | Wristwatch. |
How to use it
時計 has a special reading: 時 (ji) + 計 (kei) is read tokei.
In compounds, tokei often becomes dokei: 腕時計 (udedokei).
Example sentences
- 時計を見て、急いで出かけました。Tokei o mite, isoide dekakemashita.I looked at the clock and hurried out.
- 会議室に時計がありません。Kaigishitsu ni tokei ga arimasen.There's no clock in the meeting room.
- 目覚まし時計を六時にセットしました。Mezamashi dokei o rokuji ni setto shimashita.I set the alarm clock for six.
- 新しい腕時計を買いました。Atarashii udedokei o kaimashita.I bought a new watch.
- この時計は五分進んでいます。Kono tokei wa gofun susunde imasu.This clock is five minutes fast.
- 壁に掛け時計を掛けました。Kabe ni kakedokei o kakemashita.I hung a clock on the wall.
Kanji in this word
Questions
Why is 時計 read tokei?
時計 is a special reading listed in the Jōyō Kanji Table. Learn it as a whole word.
How do you say "the clock is fast" or "slow" in Japanese?
A fast clock is 進んでいる (susunde iru), and a slow clock is 遅れている (okurete iru).
Using Japanese at work?
See Executive JapaneseExecutive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.