Duration measures elapsed time; frequency counts occurrences in a given period.
The idea
二時間 means “for two hours”. 週に二回 means “twice per week”: に marks the period and 回 counts occurrences. Combine them as 週に三回、一時間 for an hour on each of three weekly occasions.
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 二時間 | duration: two hours |
| 週に二回 | frequency: twice a week |
| 週に三回、一時間 | three times a week, one hour each time |
Examples
- 二時間勉強しました。I studied for two hours.
- 週に二回泳ぎに行きます。I go swimming twice a week.
- 毎日三十分本を読みます。I read for thirty minutes every day.
- 月に一回両親に電話します。I call my parents once a month.
- 週に三回一時間練習します。I practise for one hour three times a week.
- どのくらい待ちましたか。How long did you wait?
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Watch out
二時間 does not mean twice; 二回 does not say how long each occurrence lasts. 一時間 is a duration, while 一時 is one o’clock.
Try it yourself
Fill in the unit: studied for two hours.
Show answer or example answer
時間
時間 completes 二時間, a duration of two hours.
Fill in the counter: swim three times a week.
Show answer or example answer
回
回 completes 三回, three occurrences per week.
Fill in the particle: call once a month.
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に
に marks 月 as the period in which the call occurs once.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Fill in the unit: studied for two hours.
Fill in the counter: swim three times a week.
Fill in the particle: call once a month.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe a weekly activity using both its frequency and the length of each session.