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How to Say ‘When it's time’ in Japanese

時間になったら

jikan ni natsu tara

[jikan ni nat tara]

💬 Usage Tip: [時間になったら] literally means "when it becomes time." Japanese often uses [になる] where English just says "it's time."

Phrase Breakdown

時間

jikan

[jikan]

time

Used for time in general, such as boarding time.

Example

時間になったら知らせてください。

Please let me know when it's time.

になったら

ni natsu tara

when it becomes; when it’s time

Conditional form meaning “when it becomes” or “when the time comes.”

Example

時間になったら行きます。

I’ll go when it’s time.

Words in this phrase

に

ni

[ni]

at; to

Particle showing a point in time or change of state.

Example

時間になったら入ります。

When it's time, we will go in.

なっ

natsu

[nat]

become

Part of the verb なる, meaning to become.

Example

搭乗時間になったら来てください。

Please come when it becomes boarding time.

たら

tara

[tara]

when; if

Conditional ending meaning when or if something happens.

Example

時間になったら呼びます。

I will call you when it's time.

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