Latest / Learn Japanese with Fexingo / Japanese Telling Time - Half Past
Transcript
- Lucas: Hey Luna, ready for another episode of Learn Japanese with Fexingo? Luna: Totally! Last time we talked about hobbies, watching movies. That was fun. Lucas: Yeah, and today we're going to learn how to tell time in Japanese, specifically 'half past' the hour. Luna: Oh, like saying 'it's half past two'? That sounds useful. Lucas: Exactly. And if Fexingo is helping you make progress with Japanese, listener support is what keeps this ad-free. You can help at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. Luna: Yeah, it really helps. Now let's get into it. Lucas: So, to say 'half past' in Japanese, you use the number for the hour plus 半, which means half. For example, 2:30 is 二時半. Luna: 二時半. So that's 'two' plus 'half'? Lucas: Right. 二 is two, 時 is hour, and 半 is half. So 二時半 is 'half past two'. Luna: Got it. What about 3:30? Lucas: 三時半. 三 means three, so 三時半 is half past three. Luna: 三時半. Okay, so pattern: number plus 時半. Lucas: Exactly. Now, how do you ask 'what time half past?' You say 何時半. Luna: 何時半. That's like 'what hour half'? Lucas: Yes. 何 means 'what', 時 means 'hour', and 半 is 'half'. So 何時半 means 'what time half past?'. Luna: Okay, let me try. If I want to ask someone what time they meet at half past, I'd say '何時半ですか?' Lucas: Perfect! 何時半ですか. That's exactly right. Luna: And if the answer is 2:30, I say '二時半です'. Lucas: Yes! 二時半です. Now, what if it's in the morning or afternoon? You can add 午前 for AM and 午後 for PM. Luna: So 午前二時半 is 2:30 AM? Lucas: Exactly. 午前 is morning, 午後 is afternoon. So 午後二時半 is 2:30 PM. Luna: 午後二時半. That's a mouthful but I can practice. Lucas: Let's do a quick scene. Luna, what time is the meeting? Luna: Uh, let me think... 午後三時半です. Lucas: So the meeting is at 3:30 PM. 午後三時半. Perfect. Luna: And if someone asks 何時半ですか, I can answer with the time. Lucas: Right. Let's practice with a couple more. 4:30 is 四時半. Luna: 四時半. Easy. Lucas: 5:30 is 五時半. Luna: 五時半. Lucas: Good. Now, let's put it together. If you want to say 'I wake up at 6:30 AM', you'd say '午前六時半に起きます'. Luna: 午前六時半に起きます. That uses the particle に for time. Lucas: Yes. But for now, focus on the time itself. So let's review: 二時半, 三時半, 何時半, 午前, 午後. Luna: 二時半, 三時半, 何時半, 午前, 午後. I think I've got it. Lucas: Great. Try saying 'half past seven AM'. Luna: 午前七時半. Lucas: Wonderful! And 'half past eight PM'? Luna: 午後八時半. Lucas: You nailed it. So remember, for half past, it's number plus 時半. And if you need AM or PM, add 午前 or 午後 before. Luna: Thanks Lucas. Now I can tell time like a pro. Well, half the time at least. Lucas: Practice these phrases until we meet again. Keep learning with Fexingo, and see you next time. Luna: Bye bye!