There are many different words in Japanese to express time periods. Learn to use the appropriate expression depending on the length of time you want to convey.
1. ~days (~nichi kan)
"~days (~nichi kan)" means the number of days. For example, "2 days (futsuka kan)" means two days. When you want to convey a certain period of time without deciding on a specific number of days, you can use "several days (sūjitsu kan)." However, be aware that the number of days that "several days (sūjitsu kan)" means varies from person to person.
Example sentences
I was hospitalized for two days.
Watashi wa futsuka kan nyūin shimashita.
I was hospitalized for 2 days.
Example sentences
I got sick and had to take a few days off work.
Taichō wo kuzushite shimai, sūjitsu kan kaisha wo yasunda.
I got sick and took a few days off from work.
When you want to ask someone how many days they will be traveling for, such as "How many days are you going to travel for?", you say "nannichi kan".
Example sentences
How many days do you plan to stay in Osaka?
Anata wa nannichi kan Ōsaka ni taizai suru yotei desuka?
How many days do you plan to stay in Osaka?
2.Half day (han'nichi)
"Half a day (han'nichi)" means half a day. Generally, it refers to half the time between sunrise and sunset. Half of a working day can also be called "half a day (han'nichi)."
Example sentences
I'm working a half day today.
Kyō wa han'nichi kinmu desu.
I work half a day today.
Example sentences
The medical examination took half a day.
Kenkōshindan ni han'nichi kakarimashita.
It took half a day for the medical examination.
3.All day long
"All day long" (ichinichi jhū) means the whole day. It can also be said as "from morning to night" (asa kara ban made) or "all day long" (shūjitsu).
Example sentences
I was out all day yesterday.
Kinō watashi wa ichinichi jhū gaishutsu shite imashita.
Yesterday I was out all day.
Example sentences
I worked from morning until night, so I'm very tired.
Asa kara ban made hataraita node, totemo tsukareta.
I worked from morning till night, so I was very tired.
Example sentences
I have an appointment all day today.
Kyō wa shūjitsu yotei ga aite imasu.
I'm free all day today.
4.～shū kan (week)
"~weeks (~shū kan)" means a period of one week. It is used in the same way as "~days (~nichi kan)." For example, "2 weeks (ni shū kan)" means two weeks.
Example sentences
I work five days a week.
Watashi wa isshū kan no uchi, itsuka kinmu shimasu.
I work 5 days a week.
Example sentences
This course will be completed in 6 weeks.
Kono kōza wa rokushū kan de owarimasu.
This course ends in 6 weeks.
Example sentences
Test results will take several weeks to arrive.
Tesuto kekka ga deru made ni, sū-shū kan kakari masu.
It will take several weeks for the test results to come out.
5.~ months (~kagetsu kan)
"~ months (~kagetsu kan)" means a period of one month. It is used in the same way as "~ days (~nichi kan)." For example, "2 months (ni kagetsu kan)" means two months. In addition to "~ months (~kagetsu kan)," it can also be written as "~ months," "~ months," or "~ months," but they all have the same meaning and pronunciation.
Example sentences
The training lasts for three months.
Kenshū wa san kagetsu kan tsuzukimasu.
The training lasts for 3 months.
Example sentences
First graders will observe morning glories for three months.
Shōgaku ichi nensei wa san kagetsu kan asagao wo kansatsu shimasu.
First graders observe the morning glory for three months.
Example sentences
The effects of the heavy rains continued for several months.
Ōame ni yoru eikyō wa, sūkagetsu kan tsuzuita.
The effects of the heavy rains lasted for several months.
6.Hantsuki
"Half moon" means half a month. It is often used to mean the period equivalent to the length of a month divided in half, i.e., about 15 days.
Example sentences
She gained 2 kg in just two weeks.
Kanojo wa hantsuki de 2 kg mo futotte shimaimashita.
She gained 2kg in half a month.
Example sentences
It's been two weeks since I entered university.
Daigaku ni nyūgaku shite hantsuki ga sugimashita.
Half a month has passed since I entered university.
7.~nen kan (~nen kan)
"~nen kan" (~years) expresses a period of one year. It is used in the same way as "~nichi kan" (~days). For example, "ni nen kan" (two years) means two years.
Example sentences
Astronomers continued to observe the stars for 10 years.
Tenmongakusha wa jū nen kan hoshi wo kansatsu shitsuzukemashita.
Astronomers observed stars for 10 years.
Example sentences
My son has grown dramatically in the last two years.
Watashi no musuko wa ni nen kan de kyūgeki ni se ga nobimashita.
My son grew rapidly in two years.
Example sentences
My son went abroad to study and didn't come home for several years.
Ryūgaku ni itta musuko wa, sū-nen kan ie ni kaette konakatta.
My son, who went to study abroad, didn't come home for several years.
8.Half a Year (hantoshi)
"Hantoshi" means six months, which is half a year.
Example sentences
I buy a bus pass every six months.
Watashi wa hantoshi-goto ni basu no teiki-ken wo kōnyū shiteimasu.
I buy a bus commuter pass every six months.
Example sentences
The store closed after just six months.
Tatta hantoshi de sono mise wa heiten shimashita.
The store closed in just half a year.
9.Half-year (hanki)
"Half-year (hanki)" refers to half of a year. Although it has a similar meaning to "half a year (hantoshi)," "half-year (hanki)" is more often used in business. When a year is divided in half, the first half is called the "first half (kamihanki)" and the second half is called the "second half (simohanki)." Furthermore, a period when a year is divided into four equal parts is called a "quarter (shihanki)." Both expressions are mostly used in business. Companies divide their financial statements and forecast their performance over a one-year period.
Example sentences
The department store holds a bargain sale once every six months.
Sono hyakkaten wa hanki ni ichido bāgensēru wo shiteimasu.
The department store has a bargain sale once every six months.
Example sentences
The company prepares budgets on a semi-annual basis.
Kono kaisha de wa hanki-goto ni yosan wo keijō shimasu.
The company budgets semi-annually.
Example sentences
The first half of the year was a strong performance.
Kamihanki no gyōseki wa kōchō datta.
Performance in the first half was strong.
Example sentences
We will announce our third quarter financial results.
Dai san shihanki no kessan wo happyō suru.
The company will announce its third quarter financial results.
10. Semester (gakki)
"Semester (gakki)" refers to the period when a school year is divided into several parts. Many schools in Japan use a trimester system. In a trimester system, the terms are "first trimester (ichi gakki)," "second trimester (ni gakki)," and "third trimester (san gakki)."
Example sentences
The end of the first semester is coming up soon.
Mōsugu 1 gakki no shūgyō-shiki desu ne.
The closing ceremony for the first semester is coming soon.
The kanji character "shin" meaning "new" is sometimes combined to express "shin gakki." "Shin gakki" refers to the beginning of a new semester.
Example sentences
The new semester begins today.
Kyō kara shin gakki ga hajimarimasu.
Today is the start of a new school year.
There are various expressions in Japanese that express a period of time. If someone asked you, "How long have you been studying Japanese?", would you be able to answer in Japanese? If you are even slightly interested in Japanese, You can experience Japanese language lessons taught by experienced teachers for free. Human Academy Japanese Language Learning Plus Register for free Why not give it a try? There are many free trial lessons available, so please take a class that interests you!