時間を守る
be punctual
Literalmente: To protect time / To keep time
Use this phrase to describe the vital Japanese habit of being exactly on time (or early).
En 15 segundos
- Means being punctual and respecting a set schedule.
- Literally translates to 'protecting' or 'guarding' time.
- Essential for business, social life, and general reliability.
Significado
This phrase means being punctual and showing up exactly when you said you would. It's about treating a scheduled time like a promise that you need to protect.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Complimenting a reliable coworker
田中さんはいつも時間を守るので、信頼されています。
Tanaka-san is trusted because he always keeps his time.
A mother reminding her child before school
学校の時間をちゃんと守りなさいね。
Make sure you keep your school schedule, okay?
Texting a friend who is always late
たまには時間を守ってよ！もう30分待ってるよ。
Protect the time for once! I've been waiting 30 minutes.
Contexto cultural
In Japan, punctuality is seen as a form of respect for other people's lives. Since the Meiji era, 'protecting time' has been taught in schools as a fundamental civic duty. This is why Japanese trains are famous for their precision and why being late to an interview is often an automatic disqualification.
The 5-Minute Rule
In Japan, 'on time' actually means 5 minutes before the scheduled time. If you arrive exactly at 10:00 for a 10:00 meeting, you might feel like you're late!
Don't use it for Deadlines
If you want to say 'meet a deadline' for a paper or project, use `期限 (kigen)` instead of `時間`.
En 15 segundos
- Means being punctual and respecting a set schedule.
- Literally translates to 'protecting' or 'guarding' time.
- Essential for business, social life, and general reliability.
What It Means
時間を守る is the Japanese way of saying 'be on time.' But the verb 守る actually means 'to protect' or 'to guard.' When you use this phrase, you aren't just following a clock. You are guarding the shared promise you made with someone else. It implies that time is something valuable and fragile. If you break the time, you break the trust. It is one of the most important social 'rules' in Japan.
How To Use It
You use this phrase to describe someone's habits or to set expectations. You can use it as a compliment: 'He always protects time.' You can also use it as a gentle (or firm) reminder. It functions as a standard verb phrase. You can change 守る to its polite form 守ります or the negative 守らない for someone who is always late. It is a very versatile building block for daily conversation.
When To Use It
Use this in any situation involving a clock. It is perfect for business meetings where being late is a big no-no. It is also great for school, doctor appointments, or meeting a friend at a station. If you are talking about a person's character, this is the go-to phrase. For example, 'My boyfriend is great, but he doesn't protect time.' It sounds natural in both professional and casual settings. Even when texting a friend who is running late, you might use it.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for deadlines like homework or project submissions. For those, Japanese people usually use 期限を守る (kigen o mamoru), which means 'to keep a deadline.' Also, avoid using it for vague plans. If you say 'let's hang out sometime,' there is no specific time to 'protect.' It requires a specific numerical time on the clock. Don't use it for natural cycles either, like 'the sun protects time.' That just sounds like a weird poem.
Cultural Background
Japan is world-famous for its punctuality, especially its trains. If a train is 30 seconds late, the conductor might actually apologize. This phrase reflects that deep cultural value. In Japan, being 'on time' usually means arriving 5 minutes early. If you arrive exactly at the start time, you are almost late! This phrase became a pillar of modern Japanese society during the industrial era. It shifted from 'seasonal time' to 'strict clock time.' Now, it is a basic mark of a reliable adult.
Common Variations
The most common variation is 時間に遅れる (jikan ni okureru), which means 'to be late.' If someone is habitually late, they are called 時間にルーズ (jikan ni ruzu), meaning 'loose with time.' This is a bit of a 'Gairaigo' (loanword) insult. On the flip side, if you want to be very formal, you might use 時間を厳守する (jikan o genshu suru). That means 'to strictly observe the time.' It sounds like something you would see on a wedding invitation or a serious business memo.
Notas de uso
This is a neutral collocation. While `守る` is a simple verb, using it with `時間` is the standard way to discuss punctuality. It is safe to use in almost any social context.
The 5-Minute Rule
In Japan, 'on time' actually means 5 minutes before the scheduled time. If you arrive exactly at 10:00 for a 10:00 meeting, you might feel like you're late!
Don't use it for Deadlines
If you want to say 'meet a deadline' for a paper or project, use `期限 (kigen)` instead of `時間`.
Character Judgement
Japanese people often judge a person's entire character based on whether they `時間を守る`. It's seen as a sign of sincerity.
Ejemplos
6田中さんはいつも時間を守るので、信頼されています。
Tanaka-san is trusted because he always keeps his time.
Using the phrase to explain why someone is trustworthy.
学校の時間をちゃんと守りなさいね。
Make sure you keep your school schedule, okay?
A common parental instruction using the imperative-lite form.
たまには時間を守ってよ！もう30分待ってるよ。
Protect the time for once! I've been waiting 30 minutes.
A casual, slightly annoyed way to tell a friend to be punctual.
これからはもっと時間を守るようにします。
I will try harder to be on time from now on.
Using 'mamoru you ni suru' expresses an intention to improve.
うちの猫は、ご飯の時間だけは厳しく守ります。
My cat strictly protects his mealtime, and only that.
Humorously applying a human social rule to a pet.
社会人として、時間を守ることは最低限のマナーです。
As a working adult, being punctual is the bare minimum of manners.
A common phrase used in corporate training environments.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank to say 'Please be punctual.'
___ を守ってください。
`時間` (jikan) means time. `時計` is a clock, and `約束` is a promise.
Choose the correct verb to complete the phrase 'to be punctual.'
時間を ___ 。
`守る` (mamoru) is the specific verb used for keeping/protecting time.
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Ayudas visuales
Ways to talk about Punctuality
Used with friends or when complaining.
時間を守って！
Standard way to describe the habit.
時間を守る
Used in business or official rules.
時間を厳守する
When to 'Protect' Time
Job Interview
Arriving 10 mins early
Meeting Friends
Meeting at Hachiko
Train Schedule
Catching the Shinkansen
Doctor Visit
Clinical appointment
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, 守る (mamoru) means to protect or keep. If you want to say 'save time,' you should use 時間を節約する (jikan o setsuyaku suru).
Absolutely! In fact, it's very important. Being late for a date in Japan without a good reason can be quite rude.
They are similar, but 時間を守る describes the *act* or the *habit* of being punctual, whereas 'on time' is often just a state of being.
In a casual setting, it's usually fine, but in business, even 1 minute late is considered not 時間を守る. It's best to send a quick text if you're even slightly behind.
You can say 時間を守らない (jikan o mamoranai) or use the phrase 時間にルーズ (jikan ni ruzu).
Yes, often! You might hear a strict class president or a teacher scolding students with 時間を守りなさい！ (Keep the time!).
Not really. For store hours, you'd just talk about the 営業時間 (opening hours). 時間を守る is for people following a schedule.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss (in polite form) or with your younger brother (in dictionary form).
That's an exception! But you should still apologize and explain that the train was late. Most people will understand.
Yes, you can say 時間厳守 (jikan genshu), which means 'strict punctuality.' You'll see this on posters or event flyers.
Frases relacionadas
時間に遅れる
to be late for the time
時間にルーズ
to be sloppy/loose with time
約束を守る
to keep a promise
期限を守る
to meet a deadline
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