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A2 noun #1,500 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

〜頃

-koro Top 1,500

At the A1 level, your primary goal is to learn how to tell time and make simple plans. The word 〜頃 (ごろ) is essential for this. You will learn to attach it directly to hours and days. For example, instead of saying exactly 'at 3 o\'clock' (三時に), you can say 'around 3 o\'clock' (三時ごろに). This makes your Japanese sound much more natural and less robotic. You will practice using it with basic verbs like 行く (to go), 食べる (to eat), and 寝る (to sleep). It is important at this stage to simply memorize the pattern: Time Word + ごろ + に + Verb. Do not worry too much about the complex nuances yet; just focus on the fact that it means 'about' or 'around' for a specific time on the clock. You will also learn that you can drop the 'に' in casual conversations, just saying '三時ごろ行くね' (I\'ll go around 3). This single word will vastly improve your ability to coordinate with friends and navigate daily life in Japan.

Moving into the A2 level, your use of 〜頃 expands beyond simple clock times. You will start attaching it to broader time expressions such as days of the week, months, and years. You will learn phrases like '来週ごろ' (around next week) or '来年の今ごろ' (around this time next year). At this stage, it is crucial to understand the strict difference between 〜頃 (for a point in time) and ぐらい (for a duration of time). A2 learners often make the mistake of saying '二時間ごろ' (around two hours), which is incorrect. You must practice using 〜頃 only when pointing to a specific spot on the calendar or clock. Additionally, you will begin to see 〜頃 used with the particle から (from) and まで (until), allowing you to express approximate starting and ending points, such as '昼ごろから雨が降る' (It will rain from around noon). This broadens your descriptive capabilities significantly.

At the B1 level, you transition from using 〜頃 purely as a suffix to using it as a standalone noun pronounced as 'ころ' (koro). This opens up the ability to talk about life stages and past experiences. You will master the grammar pattern [Noun + の + ころ], [Adjective + ころ], and [Verb + ころ]. For example, '子供のころ' (when I was a child), '若かったころ' (when I was young), or '日本に住んでいたころ' (around the time I lived in Japan). This is a major leap in conversational ability, as it allows you to share personal histories and tell stories. You will also learn the set phrase 'あのころ' (those days / that time), which is heavily used in Japanese culture to express nostalgia. The focus at B1 is on narrative building and using 'koro' to set the temporal stage for your anecdotes.

In the B2 level, your understanding of 〜頃 becomes more nuanced and integrated into complex sentence structures. You will use it to describe the timing of simultaneous or intersecting events. For example, '私が駅に着くころには、電車はもう出発していた' (By the time I arrived at the station, the train had already left). Here, 〜ころには acts as a crucial conjunction-like phrase setting up a timeline. You will also encounter it in more formal contexts, such as business emails or news reports, where precision and politeness are balanced. You will learn to recognize when to use 〜頃 versus more formal alternatives like 前後 (zengo). The B2 learner uses 〜頃 not just to convey information, but to manage the flow of conversation, soften statements for politeness, and construct sophisticated temporal relationships between multiple clauses.

At the C1 level, 〜頃 is used with high precision in abstract and professional contexts. You will encounter it in literature, economic reports, and historical analyses. For example, discussing trends 'バブル崩壊のころ' (around the time of the bubble burst) or projecting future market shifts. You will also understand the subtle sociolinguistic implications of using 〜頃 to intentionally vague-ify a statement to avoid commitment or to show extreme deference in high-stakes business negotiations. The distinction between 'goro' and 'koro' is perfectly internalized, and you can manipulate these sounds naturally even with rare or complex vocabulary. You will also appreciate the poetic use of 〜頃 in describing the subtle transitions of Japanese seasons, a common trope in advanced reading materials and formal greetings (挨拶).

At the C2 level, your mastery of 〜頃 is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You understand its etymological roots and its role in classical Japanese literature (where it often appeared as 'ころ' without the voicing). You can effortlessly navigate highly literary or archaic expressions involving 頃, such as '頃合い' (the right time/suitable time) or '日頃' (daily/habitually). You recognize how authors use 'あの頃' to evoke specific cultural zeitgeists, and you can employ it in your own writing to create a specific mood or tone. At this ultimate level of proficiency, 〜頃 is no longer just a vocabulary word; it is a cultural concept of time, approximation, and memory that you wield with absolute fluency across all registers of the Japanese language, from the most colloquial slang to the highest forms of artistic expression.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

〜頃 en 30 secondes

Means 'around' or 'about' a specific time.
Use 'goro' for exact clock times and dates.
Use 'koro' for life stages or eras (e.g., childhood).
Do not use it for duration (like 'about 3 hours').

The Japanese word 〜頃 (ごろ / goro), or sometimes ころ (koro) when standing alone or following certain modifiers, is a fundamental suffix and noun used to express the concept of 'around a specific time' or 'about a certain period.' Understanding this word is absolutely essential for anyone learning Japanese, as it is used constantly in daily life to schedule appointments, recall past events, and discuss future plans with a natural degree of approximation. When you want to say 'around 3 o\'clock' or 'about next week,' this is the word you will use. It softens the exactness of a statement, which is a key feature of polite and natural Japanese communication.

Core Meaning: Indicates an approximate point in time, translating to 'around' or 'about' in English.

明日の三時頃に会いましょう。

The concept of time in Japanese culture often embraces a slight ambiguity, which makes 〜頃 not just a grammatical tool, but a cultural one. By saying 'around 3,' you give the other person a small buffer, showing consideration for their schedule. This is why you will hear it in business meetings, casual hangouts, and formal invitations alike.

Pronunciation Shift: When attached directly to a time word, it is usually voiced as 'goro'. When used as a standalone noun modified by a phrase, it remains 'koro'.

私が子供の頃、よく川で遊んだ。

Furthermore, 〜頃 can refer to broad historical eras or seasons. You might hear '江戸時代頃' (around the Edo period) or '桜が咲く頃' (around the time cherry blossoms bloom). This versatility makes it a highly frequent vocabulary item.

Seasonal Usage: Often used in poetry and letters to describe the changing of seasons, adding a poetic and gentle tone to the writing.

寒くなる頃には、コートが必要です。

来年の今頃は、日本にいるでしょう。

夕方頃に雨が降るかもしれません。

To truly master this word, you must internalize the difference between a point in time and a span of time. English speakers often use 'about' for both ('about 3 o\'clock' vs 'about 3 hours'). In Japanese, these require completely different words. This section has established that 〜頃 is strictly for the 'point' on the timeline. Whether that point is a specific minute, a day, a month, or an entire decade, it is treated as a single location in time rather than a measurement of length. This fundamental distinction will prevent the most common errors learners make.

Using 〜頃 correctly involves understanding its grammatical behavior as both a suffix and a standalone noun. When used as a suffix, it attaches directly to time-related nouns. For example, '三時' (three o\'clock) becomes '三時ごろ' (around three o\'clock). '明日' (tomorrow) becomes '明日ごろ' (around tomorrow). In these cases, the pronunciation is almost always voiced as 'goro'.

Particle Attachment: You can attach various particles to 〜頃 depending on the role the time phrase plays in the sentence. Common combinations include 〜頃に (at around), 〜頃から (from around), and 〜頃まで (until around).

五時頃に電話します。

When 〜頃 is used to mean 'the time when' or 'the days when', it functions more like an independent noun and is pronounced 'koro'. It is usually modified by a noun + の, an adjective, or a verb phrase. For instance, '学生の頃' (when I was a student), '若い頃' (when I was young), or '日本に住んでいた頃' (when I lived in Japan).

Noun Modification: When 〜頃 modifies another noun, you must use the particle の. For example, '三時頃の電車' (the train at around 3 o\'clock).

高校生の頃の友達に会った。

Let\'s look at how it interacts with verbs. You can use it to describe the approximate time an action will occur or has occurred. '会議が終わる頃' means 'around the time the meeting ends'. This creates a temporal clause that sets the stage for the main action of the sentence.

Verb Modification: Attach the dictionary form or past tense of a verb directly to 頃 to mean 'around the time (someone does/did something)'.

父が帰る頃に、夕食を作り始めます。

桜が散る頃、新しい仕事が始まります。

私が着いた頃には、パーティーは終わっていた。

Notice how flexible this word is. It bridges the gap between simple time telling and complex narrative storytelling. By mastering the transition between 'goro' for specific times and 'koro' for life stages or events, your Japanese will sound significantly more natural and native-like.

The usage of 〜頃 is ubiquitous in Japanese society, permeating every level of communication from the most casual chats between friends to highly formal business negotiations. In daily life, scheduling is the primary domain of 〜頃. When friends make plans, they rarely set a rigid, exact time unless it\'s for a movie or a train. Instead, they will say '12時ごろに駅で待ち合わせしよう' (Let\'s meet at the station around 12). This slight ambiguity is comfortable and reduces the pressure of being exactly on time.

Workplace Context: In business, 〜頃 is used to give estimates for project completion or meeting times without making a hard, legally binding promise.

明日の午後三時頃にお伺いしてもよろしいでしょうか。

You will also hear it constantly in news broadcasts and weather reports. A meteorologist might say '夕方ごろから雨が降り始めるでしょう' (It will likely start raining from around the evening). News anchors reporting on an incident will state '昨日の夜10時ごろ、事件が発生しました' (The incident occurred around 10 PM last night).

Nostalgia and Storytelling: When reminiscing, 'koro' is the go-to word to set the scene of a past memory.

あの頃は、何も心配していなかった。

In literature and pop culture, song titles and lyrics frequently feature 〜頃 to evoke nostalgia. Phrases like '出会った頃' (around the time we met) or '夢を見ていた頃' (the days when I was dreaming) are incredibly common.

Public Announcements: Train stations and airports use it to announce approximate arrival times when there are delays.

電車は10分遅れの、5時15分頃に到着する予定です。

お昼頃には、この作業を終わらせたい。

彼が社長だった頃、会社は急成長した。

Understanding where and how 〜頃 is used gives you a window into the Japanese mindset regarding time, politeness, and memory. It is a word that softens the edges of communication, making interactions smoother and more harmonious.

The absolute most common mistake learners make with 〜頃 is confusing it with ぐらい (gurai) or くらい (kurai). Because English uses the word 'about' or 'around' for both points in time ('about 3 PM') and durations of time ('about 3 hours'), English speakers frequently mix these up in Japanese. This is a critical error that can completely change the meaning of your sentence or make it grammatically incorrect.

The Golden Rule: Use 〜頃 (goro) for a POINT in time. Use ぐらい (gurai) for an AMOUNT or DURATION of time.

❌ 3時間頃勉強しました。(Incorrect)

Another frequent mistake involves the use of particles after 〜頃. Learners often omit the particle 'に' when it is required, or add it when it shouldn\'t be there. If the action happens AT that approximate time, 'に' is usually needed in formal writing, though it can be dropped in casual speech. However, if 〜頃 is the subject or object of the sentence, you must use 'は' or 'を'.

Particle Errors: Do not say '三時頃からに'. Choose one particle that fits the grammatical function.

❌ 毎日7時頃を起きます。(Incorrect)

Additionally, learners sometimes struggle with the pronunciation shift between 'goro' and 'koro'. Remember that when it attaches directly to a specific time word like a suffix (e.g., 明日、来週、3時), it is voiced as 'goro'. When it acts as a standalone noun modified by a phrase (e.g., 子供の、若い、学生の), it is unvoiced as 'koro'.

Voicing Mistakes: Saying '子供のごろ' is incorrect and sounds unnatural to native speakers.

❌ 若いごろ、よく旅行した。(Incorrect)

✅ 若いころ、よく旅行した。(Correct)

✅ 3時ごろに行きます。(Correct)

By carefully distinguishing between points in time and durations, applying the correct particles, and mastering the goro/koro pronunciation rules, you can easily avoid the most common pitfalls associated with this essential vocabulary word.

While 〜頃 is the most standard way to express 'around a certain time', there are several other words in Japanese that convey approximation, and understanding the nuances between them will greatly enrich your vocabulary. The most prominent similar word, as discussed, is ぐらい/くらい (gurai/kurai). While 〜頃 is for points in time, ぐらい is for quantities, amounts, and durations.

ぐらい / くらい (Gurai / Kurai): Used for approximate amounts or durations. 'About 3 hours' is 3時間ぐらい.

東京から大阪まで新幹線で2時間半ぐらいかかります。

Another similar word is ほど (hodo). Hodo is more formal than gurai and is often used in written Japanese or polite speech to indicate an approximate amount or extent. It is rarely used for specific points in time like clock hours, making it distinct from 〜頃.

ほど (Hodo): A formal equivalent to gurai, used for approximate quantities or extent.

10分ほどお待ちください。

For specific points in time, you might also encounter 前後 (ぜんご / zengo), which literally means 'before and after'. If you say '3時前後', it means 'around 3 o\'clock, give or take'. This is slightly more formal and precise in its ambiguity than 〜頃, often used in news or official schedules.

前後 (Zengo): Means 'around' but with a literal sense of 'shortly before or shortly after'. Very common in formal scheduling.

到着は正午前後になる見込みです。

会議は5時頃に終わります。(Standard/Casual)

会議は5時前後に終わります。(Formal/Precise)

Lastly, 当たり (あたり / atari) can mean 'around' in a spatial sense (around this area) but is occasionally used for time in specific contexts (e.g., 来週あたり - around next week). However, 〜頃 remains the undisputed king of approximate time points in everyday Japanese.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

三時ごろに会いましょう。

Let's meet around 3 o'clock.

Time + ごろ + に

毎日、七時ごろ起きます。

I wake up around 7 o'clock every day.

Particle に can be omitted in casual speech.

お昼ごろ、ご飯を食べます。

I eat a meal around noon.

お昼 (noon) + ごろ

夜の十時ごろに寝ます。

I go to sleep around 10 PM.

夜の (night's) + Time + ごろ

明日ごろ、電話します。

I will call around tomorrow.

Can attach to days like 明日.

五時ごろ帰ります。

I will go home around 5 o'clock.

Basic verb attachment.

八時ごろからテレビを見ます。

I watch TV from around 8 o'clock.

ごろ + から (from)

日曜日ごろ、ひまですか。

Are you free around Sunday?

Used with days of the week.

来週ごろ、テストがあります。

There is a test around next week.

来週 (next week) + ごろ

来年の今ごろは、大学生です。

Around this time next year, I will be a college student.

今ごろ (around this time)

夕方ごろから雨が降るでしょう。

It will probably rain from around the evening.

夕方 (evening) + ごろ

朝の六時ごろまで起きていました。

I was awake until around 6 AM.

ごろ + まで (until)

先月ごろ、日本に来ました。

I came to Japan around last month.

先月 (last month) + ごろ

クリスマスごろに雪が降ります。

It snows around Christmas.

Can attach to events/holidays.

三時ごろの電車に乗ります。

I will take the train at around 3 o'clock.

ごろ + の + Noun

春ごろ、桜が咲きます。

Cherry blossoms bloom around spring.

Can attach to seasons.

子供のころ、よくこの公園で遊んだ。

When I was a child, I often played in this park.

Noun + の + ころ (pronounced koro)

学生のころは、お金がありませんでした。

When I was a student, I had no money.

Used to describe past life stages.

若かったころ、世界中を旅行しました。

When I was young, I traveled around the world.

Past tense adjective + ころ

あのころは、本当に楽しかったですね。

Those days were really fun, weren't they?

あのころ (those days) is a set phrase.

日本に住んでいたころ、毎日お寿司を食べた。

Around the time I lived in Japan, I ate sushi every day.

Verb (past tense) + ころ

会議が終わるころに、迎えに行きます。

I will go pick you up around the time the meeting ends.

Verb (dictionary form) + ころ

桜が満開になるころ、お花見をしましょう。

Let's have a cherry blossom viewing party around the time they reach full bloom.

Expressing timing of future events.

忙しいころに、風邪をひいてしまった。

I caught a cold around the time I was busy.

Adjective (present) + ころ

私が駅に着くころには、電車はもう出発していた。

By the time I arrived at the station, the train had already left.

ころには emphasizes 'by the time'.

江戸時代のころ、この町はとても栄えていた。

Around the Edo period, this town was very prosperous.

Used with historical periods.

そろそろ日が暮れるころ合いだ。

It is about the right time for the sun to set.

ころ合い means 'suitable time'.

彼が社長に就任したころから、会社の業績が上がった。

Since around the time he became president, the company's performance has improved.

Verb + ころから (since the time when).

ちょうどそのころ、彼から電話がかかってきた。

Right around that time, I received a call from him.

そのころ (around that time).

来月の今ごろには、プロジェクトは完了しているはずだ。

By this time next month, the project should be completed.

今ごろには (by this time...).

物心がつくころには、すでにピアノを弾いていた。

By the time I was old enough to understand things, I was already playing the piano.

物心がつくころ (around the age of reason).

日頃の感謝を込めて、贈り物をします。

I am giving you a gift with my daily gratitude.

日頃 (higoro) means 'daily' or 'habitually'.

バブル経済が崩壊したころ、日本社会は大きな転換期を迎えた。

Around the time the bubble economy collapsed, Japanese society faced a major turning point.

Used in historical/economic analysis.

夜明けごろの静寂が、私にインスピレーションを与える。

The silence around dawn gives me inspiration.

Poetic/literary description of time.

彼とは、まだインターネットが普及していなかったころからの付き合いだ。

I've known him since the time before the internet became widespread.

Complex relative clause modifying ころ.

ちょうど良いころ合いを見計らって、提案を切り出した。

I brought up the proposal waiting for just the right moment.

ころ合いを見計らう (to wait for the right moment).

秋風が吹き始めるころとなりますと、故郷が恋しくなります。

When it becomes the time that the autumn wind starts blowing, I miss my hometown.

Formal letter greeting style.

そのころの記憶は、今となっては曖昧に霞んでいる。

My memories of that time are now vaguely blurred.

Advanced vocabulary (曖昧, 霞む).

創業のころの苦労を思えば、今の困難など取るに足らない。

If you think about the hardships around the time of founding, the current difficulties are insignificant.

創業のころ (around the time of founding).

来週末ごろをめどに、最終的な結論を出したいと考えております。

We would like to reach a final conclusion with around the end of next week as our target.

ごろをめどに (targeting around...).

平安のころより伝わる伝統行事が、今もこの村には息づいている。

Traditional events handed down since around the Heian period still breathe life into this village today.

Classical historical reference.

日頃の鍛錬の賜物であり、決して偶然の産物ではない。

It is the fruit of daily discipline, and by no means a product of chance.

日頃 (higoro) used in a highly formal, philosophical context.

機が熟すころ合いを待つのが、真の為政者というものだ。

Waiting for the right time when the opportunity is ripe is what makes a true statesman.

Proverbial usage of ころ合い.

幼きころの郷愁が、彼の文学の根底に横たわっている。

Nostalgia for his early childhood lies at the root of his literature.

幼きころ (literary form of 幼いころ).

頃日、いかがお過ごしでしょうか。

How have you been spending your days recently?

頃日 (keijitsu) - highly formal written word for 'recently'.

あのころの熱狂は、もはや歴史の彼方へと過ぎ去ってしまった。

The enthusiasm of those days has already passed away into the beyond of history.

Poetic and dramatic narrative.

梅雨の明けるころ、万物は新たな生命の息吹に満ち溢れる。

Around the time the rainy season ends, all things overflow with the breath of new life.

Literary nature description.

時分柄、何卒ご自愛のほどお願い申し上げます。

Given the season, I humbly pray that you take good care of yourself.

Related concept of time/season in formal correspondence.

Collocations courantes

〜時ごろ

〜のころ

あのころ

そのころ

若いころ

子供のころ

今ごろ

ごろに

Phrases Courantes

三時ごろに

子供のころ

あのころは

来年の今ごろ

夕方ごろ

Souvent confondu avec

〜頃 vs ぐらい

〜頃 vs くらい

〜頃 vs ほど

Expressions idiomatiques

Facile à confondre

〜頃 vs

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

note

Be careful with particles. 〜ごろに indicates the time an action happens. 〜ごろは makes the time the topic.

Erreurs courantes

Using ごろ for duration (e.g., 3時間ごろ instead of 3時間ぐらい).
Saying 子供のごろ instead of 子供のころ.
Putting the particle before ごろ (e.g., 3時にごろ instead of 3時ごろに).
Forgetting the particle の when modifying with a noun (e.g., 学生ころ instead of 学生のころ).
Using ごろ when absolute precision is required in a strict business contract.

Astuces

Point vs. Duration

Always check if you are talking about a point on the clock or a length of time. If it's a point, use ごろ. If it's a length, use ぐらい.

Goro vs Koro

Memorize this rule: Clock time = Goro. Memories/Life stages = Koro. This will solve 90% of your pronunciation doubts.

Don't forget 'の'

When connecting a noun to 'koro', you must use 'の'. Student days = 学生のころ. Do not just say 学生ころ.

Set Phrase: あのころ

Learn 'あのころ' as a single vocabulary word meaning 'those days'. It will make your storytelling sound instantly native.

Dropping the particle

In anime and daily conversation, listen for how natives drop the 'に'. '明日ごろ行く' is perfectly natural in casual speech.

Kanji vs Hiragana

While the kanji is 頃, it is very often written in hiragana (ごろ / ころ) in modern Japanese, especially when used as a suffix.

Softening statements

Use ごろ to sound more polite. Demanding someone meet you at exactly 3:00 can be harsh. 3時ごろ is softer and more culturally appropriate.

ころ合い

For advanced learners, learn the word 'ころ合い' (koroai), meaning 'the right time' or 'suitable time'. It's great for business or formal contexts.

Double Particles

Don't say '3時にごろ'. The ごろ replaces the exactness, so it goes before the particle: '3時ごろに'.

Historical Eras

You can use it for big historical periods too! 江戸時代のころ (Around the Edo period) is perfectly valid.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'goro' as 'GO ROund' a specific time. I will GO aROund 3 o'clock.

Origine du mot

Derived from Old Japanese.

Contexte culturel

Neutral

High

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"子供のころ、何をして遊ぶのが好きでしたか？"

"明日は何時ごろに起きますか？"

"学生のころの面白い話はありますか？"

"今週末は、何時ごろが都合いいですか？"

"日本に来たころ、一番驚いたことは何ですか？"

Sujets d'écriture

私が子供のころの夢は... (My dream when I was a child was...)

10年後の今ごろ、私は... (Around this time 10 years from now, I...)

あのころに戻れるなら... (If I could go back to those days...)

最近、寝る時間は何時ごろですか？ (What time do you go to sleep recently?)

一番忙しかったころの思い出 (Memories of my busiest time)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, absolutely not. This is the most common mistake. For duration, you must use ぐらい (gurai) or くらい (kurai). ごろ is strictly for a point in time, like 'around 3 o'clock'.

Pronounce it 'goro' when it attaches directly to a specific time word (like 3時ごろ, 明日ごろ). Pronounce it 'koro' when it acts as a standalone noun modified by a phrase (like 子供のころ, 若いころ).

In formal or written Japanese, yes, if the action happens at that time (3時ごろに行きます). In casual spoken Japanese, the 'に' is very often dropped (3時ごろ行くね).

No, that is incorrect. Because it is modified by the noun '子供' and the particle 'の', it must be pronounced 'koro'. The correct phrase is '子供のころ'.

Both mean 'around' a certain time. However, 前後 is more formal and literal (meaning 'before and after'). It is often used in news, official schedules, or business contexts, whereas ごろ is standard for daily life.

Yes, you can. For example, '春ごろ' (around spring) or '寒くなるころ' (around the time it gets cold). It is very common in letters and poetic descriptions.

'あのころ' (ano koro) translates to 'those days' or 'that time'. It is a set phrase heavily used when reminiscing about the past with a sense of nostalgia.

Yes, it is acceptable when proposing a meeting time (e.g., 3時ごろ). However, if a strict deadline is required, avoid it, as it implies approximation and might sound unprofessional if exactness is needed.

In very casual, colloquial speech, you might hear people say '3時ごろぐらい' to mean 'at about around 3'. However, this is grammatically redundant and should be avoided in formal writing or tests.

You combine ごろ with までに (by). So, 'by around 3 o'clock' is '3時ごろまでに'.