腕時計 vs 掛け時計 vs 目覚まし時計: Watch, Wall Clock, and Alarm Clock in Japanese

Yuka

How do you say “alarm clock” in Japanese? And is that different from a regular clock?

Rei

目覚まし時計 (mezamashi dokei) — literally “wake-up clock”! Japanese has specific words for different types of clocks and watches. Let me break them all down.

Japanese Words for Clocks and Watches

In Japanese, the general word for both clock and watch is 時計 (tokei). But specific types have their own compound words:

腕時計 (udedokei) — Wristwatch

腕 (ude) means “arm” or “wrist.” 腕時計 is literally a “wrist clock” — a watch you wear on your wrist. In modern Japanese, it is often shortened to 時計 in casual speech.

• 腕時計を忘れた。 — I forgot my watch.
• 新しい腕時計を買った。 — I bought a new wristwatch.
• 腕時計を見る。 — To look at one’s watch.

掛け時計 (kakedokei) — Wall Clock

掛け comes from 掛ける (kakeru = to hang). A 掛け時計 is a clock that hangs on a wall. It is the standard word for a wall clock at home or in an office.

• 掛け時計が止まっている。 — The wall clock has stopped.
• 部屋に掛け時計をつけた。 — I put a wall clock in the room.
• 掛け時計の電池が切れた。 — The wall clock battery ran out.

目覚まし時計 (mezamashidokei) — Alarm Clock

目覚まし (mezamashi) comes from 目覚める (mezameru = to wake up). A 目覚まし時計 is literally a “waking-up clock.” It can be a physical alarm clock or, colloquially, an alarm on a smartphone. Often shortened to just 目覚まし in casual speech.

• 目覚まし時計をセットした。 — I set the alarm clock.
• 目覚ましが鳴った。 — The alarm went off.
• 目覚ましを止める。 — To turn off the alarm.
• 目覚まし代わりにスマホを使う。 — I use my phone as an alarm clock.

Yuka

What do Japanese people actually say in daily life — 時計 or the full compound?

Rei

In casual speech, 時計 covers most situations. The specific words appear when you need to be clear: 目覚まし (alarm), 腕時計 (wristwatch), or 掛け時計 (wall clock). Context usually makes it clear!

Quick Quiz

Match the description to the Japanese word:

• 1. You hang it on the wall. — (a) 腕時計 (b) 掛け時計 (c) 目覚まし時計
• 2. It wakes you up in the morning. — (a) 腕時計 (b) 掛け時計 (c) 目覚まし時計
• 3. You wear it on your wrist. — (a) 腕時計 (b) 掛け時計 (c) 目覚まし時計

Answers: 1. (b)　2. (c)　3. (a)

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