〜時間（じかん）

Used to express the duration of an activity.

🔹 Basic Pattern

• [Number] + 時間(じかん)
• No particle needed after it!
• Example:
  ゆうきは図書館で二時間本を読みました。
  Yuuki read books at the library for two hours.

🗣️ Super natural when about how long you do something.

🔹 Approximate Duration = 〜時間ぐらい

• Add ぐらい to mean “about/approximately.”
• Pattern: [Activity] を [Number]時間ぐらい [Verb]
• Example:
  昨日、友だちとカフェで四時間ぐらい話しました。
  I chatted with my friend at a café for about four hours yesterday.

💡 ぐらい vs ごろ?

• ぐらい = about a duration
• ごろ = about a time (e.g., 5時ごろ = around 5 o’clock)

🔹 Half Hours

• Just add 半 right after 時間。Pattern: [Number]時間半 + [Verb]
• Example:
  今日はバスで一時間半かかりました。
  It took me an hour and a half by bus today.

🔹 Both 半 and ぐらい

• ぐらい always comes last.Pattern: [Number]時間半ぐらい + [Verb]
• Example:
  毎晩、アニメを二時間半ぐらい見ています。
  I watch anime for about two and a half hours every night.

📝 Note:

• You don’t need particle like に or で after 時間 — it stands alone.
• ごろ is for what time, ぐらい is for how long.
• Native speakers often use “ぐらい” to soften the tone.
  A bit vague, casual, humble. Like:
  → 30分くらいで着くと思う。 = I think I’ll get there in about 30 mins.