How do you say "By 3 o'clock" in Japanese?

"By 3 o'clock" in Japanese is "三時までに". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

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How to Say ‘By 3 o'clock’ in Japanese

Q: What does "三時までに" mean in English?

"三時までに" means "By 3 o'clock" in English. Usage tip: [三時までに] = deadline at 3. Implies completion/action happens before or at 3, not after.

三時までに

san ji made ni

[sahn jee mah-deh nee]

💬 Usage Tip: [三時までに] = deadline at 3. Implies completion/action happens before or at 3, not after.

🇯🇵 In Japan: If you’re late, it’s common to apologize and give a new deadline; Japan has a strong “deadline culture,” especially for work and paperwork.

Phrase Breakdown

三時

san ji

three o’clock

Time expression: number + 時 (じ). 三時 = 3:00.

Example

三時に会いましょう。

Let’s meet at three.

Words in this phrase

三

san

[sahn]

three

Number 3, used here as part of 三時 (3 o’clock).

Example

三時までに連絡します。

I’ll contact you by three o’clock.

時

[jee]

o'clock; hour

Time counter. 三時 = 3:00.

Example

三時までに集合です。

Meet up by three o’clock.

まで

made

[mah-deh]

until; up to

Part of the deadline expression までに. On its own まで means 'until,' but with に it becomes 'by.'

Example

三時までに提出します。

I’ll submit it by three o’clock.

に

[nee]

by; by the time; to; at

Deadline marker when used as までに: must be done before the set time.

Example

三時までに終えてください。

Please finish it by three o’clock.

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