The Japanese word 時計 (tokei) means “clock” or “watch” — but as soon as you want to talk about a specific type of timepiece, Japanese uses different compound words. 腕時計 (udedokei), 掛け時計 (kakedokei), and 目覚まし時計 (mezamashi-dokei) are three essential vocabulary words that English speakers often confuse. This guide explains exactly what each one means, how to use them, and a few bonus clock words to round out your vocabulary.
YukaRei, I’ve seen 腕時計 and 掛け時計 vs. 目覚まし時計 so many times but I always second-guess myself. Help!
ReiDon’t worry — this is one of the most common points of confusion for English speakers. Let me clear it up once and for all!
At a Glance: 腕時計 vs. 掛け時計 vs. 目覚まし時計
| Feature | 腕時計 (udedokei) | 掛け時計 (kakedokei) | 目覚まし時計 (mezamashi-dokei) |
|---|---|---|---|
| English meaning | Wristwatch | Wall clock | Alarm clock |
| Kanji breakdown | 腕 (arm) + 時計 (clock) | 掛け (hanging) + 時計 (clock) | 目覚まし (waking up) + 時計 (clock) |
| Reading of 時計 | どけい (dokei) | どけい (dokei) | どけい (dokei) |
| Where is it? | On your wrist | On the wall | On your bedside / desk |
| JLPT level | N5–N4 | N4–N3 | N4–N3 |
Key Pronunciation Note: 時計 = とけい or どけい?
When 時計 stands alone, it is read とけい (tokei). But when it is part of a compound word — like 腕時計, 掛け時計, or 目覚まし時計 — the reading changes to どけい (dokei) due to a phonetic process called rendaku (連濁), where the first consonant of the second word becomes voiced. This is completely normal in Japanese and applies to many compound words.
So: 時計 alone = とけい (tokei), but in compounds = どけい (dokei).
YukaOkay, that example with 腕時計 really helped! I never saw it used that way before.
ReiRight? Seeing real examples is so much more useful than memorizing a definition. 腕時計 is definitely one of those words you’ll start noticing everywhere.
腕時計 (Udedokei) — Wristwatch
腕時計 (udedokei) combines 腕 (ude = arm/wrist) and 時計 (dokei = clock), literally meaning “arm clock.” It refers specifically to a watch worn on the wrist.
Example 1:
腕時計見せてくれない？
Udedokei misete kurenai?
Can I see your wristwatch?
Example 2:
腕時計がゆるいんだ。
Udedokei ga yurui n da.
My wristwatch is loose.
Example 3:
腕時計もってる？
Udedokei motteru?
Do you have a wristwatch?
YukaAnd 掛け時計 vs. 目覚まし時計 — is it used in formal situations, casual ones, or both?
ReiGreat observation! 掛け時計 vs. 目覚まし時計 actually works in both — context is everything. The comparison table coming up should make this super clear.
掛け時計 (Kakedokei) — Wall Clock
掛け時計 (kakedokei) combines 掛け (kake = to hang) and 時計 (dokei = clock), literally meaning “hanging clock.” It refers to a clock mounted on a wall.
Example 1:
昨日、掛け時計買ったよ。
Kinō, kakedokei katta yo.
I bought a wall clock yesterday.
Example 2:
今の掛け時計壊れてるし、新しいの買わないとなー。
Ima no kakedokei kowareteru shi, atarashii no kawanai to nā.
My current wall clock is broken, so I need to buy a new one.
Example 3:
かわいい掛け時計だね。
Kawaii kakedokei da ne.
That’s a cute wall clock!
目覚まし時計 (Mezamashidokei) — Alarm Clock
目覚まし時計 (mezamashidokei) combines 目覚まし (mezamashi = waking up / rousing from sleep) and 時計 (dokei = clock). It refers to an alarm clock — a clock that wakes you up at a set time.
Example 1:
目覚まし時計が６時になったけどまったく起きられなかったよ。
Mezamashidokei ga roku-ji ni natta kedo mattaku okirarenakatta yo.
The alarm clock went off at 6, but I couldn’t get up at all.
Example 2:
最近、目覚まし時計がなっても気付かないんだけど。笑
Saikin, mezamashidokei ga natte mo kizukanai n da kedo. Wara.
Lately, I don’t even notice when the alarm clock goes off. Ha.
Example 3:
朝７時に目覚まし時計をセットしたよ。
Asa shichi-ji ni mezamashidokei wo setto shita yo.
I set my alarm clock for 7 in the morning.
Bonus: Other Types of Clocks in Japanese
| Japanese | Reading | English |
|---|---|---|
| 時計 | tokei | Clock / watch (general) |
| 腕時計 | udedokei | Wristwatch |
| 掛け時計 | kakedokei | Wall clock |
| 目覚まし時計 | mezamashidokei | Alarm clock |
| 置き時計 | okidokei | Table/desk clock |
| 懐中時計 | kaichūdokei | Pocket watch |
| 柱時計 | hashiradokei | Grandfather clock / pendulum clock |
Decision Flowchart: Which Clock Word to Use?
You want to say "clock" or "watch" in Japanese.
|
v
Where is the clock/watch?
| | |
On your wrist On the wall Wakes you up
| | |
v v v
腕時計 掛け時計 目覚まし時計
(udedokei) (kakedokei) (mezamashidokei)
On a table/desk? → 置き時計 (okidokei)
In a pocket? → 懐中時計 (kaichūdokei)Quick Quiz — Test Yourself!
YukaI feel ready! Let’s see how well I really know 腕時計 and 掛け時計 vs. 目覚まし時計.
ReiLet’s find out! Don’t peek at the answers until you’ve tried each one yourself.
Fill in the blank with the correct Japanese word.
Q1. I always wear a watch on my wrist.
いつも＿＿＿をしています。
Itsumo ___ wo shite imasu.
Answer: 腕時計 (udedokei)
Reason: A watch worn on the wrist is 腕時計.
Q2. The alarm clock didn’t go off this morning.
今朝、＿＿＿が鳴らなかった。
Kesa, ___ ga naranakatta.
Answer: 目覚まし時計 (mezamashidokei)
Reason: An alarm clock that wakes you up is 目覚まし時計.
Q3. The wall clock in our classroom is broken.
教室の＿＿＿が壊れているよ。
Kyōshitsu no ___ ga kowarete iru yo.
Answer: 掛け時計 (kakedokei)
Reason: A clock mounted on the wall is 掛け時計.
Q4. I set my alarm for 6:30 AM.
朝６時半に＿＿＿をセットした。
Asa roku-ji han ni ___ wo setto shita.
Answer: 目覚まし時計 (mezamashidokei)
Reason: Setting a time to wake up → alarm clock → 目覚まし時計.
Q5. He received an expensive wristwatch as a gift.
彼は高級な＿＿＿をプレゼントでもらった。
Kare wa kōkyū na ___ wo purezento de moratta.
Answer: 腕時計 (udedokei)
Reason: Expensive watches given as gifts are wristwatches → 腕時計.
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あわせて読みたい
Now that you know your clocks, explore time-related vocabulary with our guide on 毎日 vs. 日常 — two ways to express “everyday” in Japanese:
Also check out our guide to 昼 vs. 夜 — essential time-of-day vocabulary for beginner learners:
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