Time is an essential part of communication. Whether you’re talking about how long you studied, how long a trip lasted, or how much time something takes, Japanese has specific expressions to convey duration. In this article, we’ll explore key grammar point: 間 (かん) for time spent.
かん (間)
Expressing Time Spent
JLPT Level: N4
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How to Use It
To express how long an action lasts, Japanese uses the kanji 間 (かん) after a time counter. This turns the time unit into a duration. It works with units like hours, minutes, weeks, months, and years.
This grammar point is used when discussing the total span of time something continues, such as the length of a trip, a study session, or a stay in a location. You can also add words like ぐらい to show that the time is approximate.
Keep in mind that かん is only used for actual durations. If you’re just referring to a time period as a standalone point in time (like “last month”), かん is not used.
Usage Pattern
[Time Duration]+ 間(かん)+ Action
[Time Duration]+ 間(かん) +ぐらい (Approximate duration)
Example 1
私は二時間勉強しました。
わたし は にじかん べんきょう しました。
Watashi wa nijikan benkyō shimashita.
I studied for two hours.
Example 2
友だちと一時間話しました。
ともだち と いちじかん はなしました。
Tomodachi to ichijikan hanashimashita.
I talked with a friend for an hour.
Example 3
四週間日本にいました。
よんしゅうかん にほん に いました。
Yonshuukan Nihon ni imashita.
I was in Japan for four weeks.
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