JLPT N5 reference · Existence, time and quantity
Clock time and dates
Clock times combine numbers with 時 and 分. Calendar dates use 月 for months and 日 for days, with several irregular readings.
Core meaning and form
A specific point in time commonly takes に. Relative times such as 今日, 明日, and 毎日 usually appear without に.
- 七時に.
- 八時半に.
- 五月三日.
Examples in context
授業は九時に始まります。Jugyō wa ku-ji ni hajimarimasu.Class starts at nine.
今日は五月三日です。Kyō wa go-gatsu mikka desu.Today is May third.
毎朝六時半に起きます。Maiasa roku-ji han ni okimasu.I get up at six thirty every morning.
Common errors
- Do not read every date by regular number + にち; learn irregular days such as ついたち and ふつか.
- Do not automatically add に after 今日, 明日, or 毎日.
Quick summary
- Use に with many specific times.
- Relative time words often omit に.
- Learn irregular hour and date readings as complete forms.