How do you say "What time is it?" in Japanese?

"What time is it?" in Japanese is "今何時ですか？". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

What does "今何時ですか？" mean in English?

"今何時ですか？" means "What time is it?" in English. Usage tip: Adding [今] meaning 'now' asks for the current time, as in 'now, what hour is it?'.

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How to Say ‘What time is it?’ in Japanese

今何時ですか？

いまなんじですか？

💬 Usage Tip: Adding [今] meaning 'now' asks for the current time, as in 'now, what hour is it?'.

🇯🇵 In Japan: Punctuality is very important in Japan. Being on time for events and meet-ups shows respect for others' time.

Phrase Breakdown

今いま

now

Refers to the present time.

Example

今行きます。

I am going now.

何時なんじ

what time

A question word that asks about the time.

Example

何時に終わりますか？

What time does it finish?

ですです

Functions as a copula, similar to 'is' in English.

Example

今です。

It is now.

かか

question marker

Turns the sentence into a question.

Example

おいしいですか？

Is it delicious?

Word-by-Word Breakdown

今いま

[ima]

now

At the present time or moment.

Example

今、何をしていますか？

What are you doing now?

何なん

[nan]

what

An interrogative word used to ask questions.

Example

何を食べますか？

What will you eat?

時じ

[ji]

time

A point of time as measured in hours and minutes.

Example

何時に起きますか？

What time do you wake up?

ですです

[desu]

A form of "to be" used in presenting information.

Example

これはテーブルです。

This is a table.

かか

[ka]

question particle

A particle used at the end of a sentence to form a question.

Example

あなたは学生ですか？

Are you a student?

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