Stating the Time / Asking for a special time [Archive] - Japan Forum

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Fujibayashi
Jul 10, 2009, 05:54
Hi,
so in this Book I use they have a chapter about time and it's always like
"Ima nanji desu ka?" -> What time is it (right now)?
and you answer like "Gogo Juuji desu" -> 10 pm
just wondered how would you state "It is 10 pm right now"?
"Ima ha gogo juuji desu"?
"Ima gogo juuji desu"?
(on that ocassion another question, can you add a "yo" to these 2 sentences? so "desu yo")
or just "gogo juuji desu" again?
Also how would you ask for like "Is it 10 pm (right now)?"
I came up with "ima ha gogo juuji desu ka?" and "ima goog juuji desu ka?" but a bit unsure if that is the proper use and which is right :?

pocopoco
Jul 10, 2009, 23:23
The sentences you came up with are all correct. There are a lot of ways to say that. It depends mainly on what the relationship between you and listner is. When you talk to your friend, です /desu/ sounds too polite. If I were to ask a friend of mine or my Mom or Dad what time it is now, I would say, simply, 「いま何時?」/ima nanji/. Then he or she would answer 「10時(だよ)」/juuzi dayo/ or something like that.

But if I were to ask my boss, teacher etc, I would ask 「いま何時ですか?」or 「いま何時でしょうか?」. If I were to answer to them, I would say 「10時です」.

Fujibayashi
Jul 11, 2009, 01:10
Hm ok, the main thing I was unsure is if you should put "ima" or "ima ha" before saying the time to say thats the current time

pocopoco
Jul 11, 2009, 01:56
No need to add "ima" or "ima wa", if it is clear from the situation that you're asking the current time. But I prefer to add "ima" for clarity. Adding は"wa" like 「今は何時?」 sounds a bit redundant (but not wrong) when spoken. In the です form (e.g. 「今は何時ですか?」「今は10時です」), however, it sounds natural both with and without は"wa". It's maybe because the です form requires a more complete sentence.

Fujibayashi
Jul 11, 2009, 02:35
Hm k, thanks, still a bit unsure, but probably that will clear up when I learn more

Elizabeth
Jul 11, 2009, 10:06
The sentences you came up with are all correct. There are a lot of ways to say that. It depends mainly on what the relationship between you and listner is. When you talk to your friend, です /desu/ sounds too polite. If I were to ask a friend of mine or my Mom or Dad what time it is now, I would say, simply, 「いま何時?」/ima nanji/. Then he or she would answer 「10時(だよ)」/juuzi dayo/ or something like that.
But if I were to ask my boss, teacher etc, I would ask 「いま何時ですか?」or 「いま何時でしょうか?」. If I were to answer to them, I would say 「10時です」.
You never say 時間(時刻)は、10時です like some crazy folks who butcher the English language "And the time is....10 o clock." :? :p 

Toritoribe
Jul 11, 2009, 10:32
I'm curious about the case the OP thought of, too. For instance, when do you say "it is 10pm now" except when answering to the question what time it is?:relief: