Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "じかん", "時刻", "手間", "ひとまず"
All represent the core concept "time", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
じかん
じかん (jikan)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
時刻
じこく (jikoku)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
手間
てま (tema)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
ひとまず
ひとまず (hitomazu)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "time" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "じかん", "時刻", "手間", "ひとまず" based on context.
- じかん (じかん (jikan) - Level: N5): Maps to "time" and is used when Refers to a period of time, or the concept of time itself. Used in many common phrases like 時間があります.
- 時刻 (じこく (jikoku) - Level: N4): Maps to "time (specific point); hour" and is used when Refers to a specific point in time, such as the departure time of a train or a meeting's start time, rather than a duration.
- 手間 (てま (tema) - Level: N3): Maps to "time and effort, trouble, labor" and is used when Refers to the time, effort, or labor required to do something. Often used with かかる.
- ひとまず (ひとまず (hitomazu) - Level: N2): Maps to "for the time being, for now, first of all, for a start" and is used when Indicates a temporary action or state, or a first step before proceeding to something else. Often implies that a more complete or final action will follow later..
Context for "じかん"
待ち合わせの時間に遅れました。
I was late for the meeting time.
Context for "時刻"
電車の時刻を駅で確認しました。
I confirmed the train's time at the station.
Context for "手間"
この料理は作るのに手間がかかる。
This dish takes a lot of time and effort to prepare.
Context for "ひとまず"
ひとまずこの仕事を終わらせよう。
Let's finish this work for now.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "待ち合わせの時間に遅れました。" (Meaning: "I was late for the meeting time.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "じかん" is correct here because it represents "time" in the context: "I was late for the meeting time.".