Casual and Formal : What Time Is It? in Japanese
There are a lot of ways to ask the time to people. And 今何時ですか? means “What time is it?” which you might have known, however, this is what so basic Japanese is. Today, let me introduce how you ask the time and answer it both as casual and formal like native speakers!
今何時ですか？(ima-nanji-desuka)
What time is it? / Do you have the time?
“今何時ですか？” means “What time is it? / Do you have the time?” and which you could use as polite and business situations as well to a person you just met for the first time or just acquaintance. This way to ask the time is basic but polite. Before asking it, adding すいません which means “Excuse me?” is the best way to ask the time such as “すいません、今何時ですか？”. Lastly, everybody could you this in daily conversations as a little bit formal.
今何時？(ima-nanji)
What time is it?
“今何時？” also means “What time is it?”, however, which is used as casual, so you could use this to only your family, friends and someone who you are close to and which is called “タメ口” means casual talk. So, don’t use “今何時？” to your boss, elderly people or people you have met for the first time. They would be pretty offensive. Rather you would use this for your friends or someone who you are close to because it sounds friendly between friends. Lastly, everybody could you this in daily conversations as casual.
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
今何時か教えていただけませんか？(ima-nanji-ka-oshiete-itadake-masenka)
Could you tell me what time it is?
“今何時か教えていただけませんか？” means “Could you tell me what time it is?”. This is used in business situations as formal and as the politest way to ask the time to people who are your boss, elder people, people you have met for the first time. Before asking it, adding すいません which means “Excuse me?” is the best way to ask the time such as “すいません、今何時か教えていただけませんか？”. Lastly, everybody could use “今何時か教えていただけませんか？” to all of the people except a person who you are close to.
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