A2 noun ニュートラル #345 よく出る 2分で読める

minute

/ˈmɪnɪt/ (noun, time), /maɪˈnjuːt/ (adjective, small)

Minute is a time unit (60 seconds) or an adjective for something tiny; pronunciation varies.

30秒でわかる単語

  • A unit of time (60 seconds).
  • Also means extremely small or precise.
  • Pronunciation differs based on meaning.

Overview

The word 'minute' primarily refers to a standard unit of time, specifically one-sixtieth of an hour or sixty seconds. It's a fundamental concept used in everyday life for scheduling, timing activities, and understanding duration. Beyond its temporal meaning, 'minute' can also be used as an adjective meaning extremely small or precise, particularly when referring to details, particles, or changes. This adjective form has a different pronunciation than the noun for time.

Usage Patterns

As a noun referring to time, 'minute' is used in both formal and informal contexts, written and spoken. For example, 'The meeting will start in five minutes' is common in spoken, informal settings, while 'The experiment lasted for 120 minutes' might appear in a formal report. The adjective form 'minute' (pronounced my-NOOT) is more common in formal writing and speech, often describing subtle details or small quantities, such as 'minute adjustments' or 'minute traces of evidence.'

Common Contexts

In daily life, we use minutes to set alarms, estimate travel times, or count down to an event. In work and school settings, minutes are crucial for managing schedules, deadlines, and the duration of classes or meetings. The adjective form might appear in scientific contexts (minute particles), legal documents (minute details of a contract), or artistic descriptions (minute brushstrokes). Understanding the context is key to correctly interpreting the meaning and pronunciation of 'minute.'

例文

1

The bus is scheduled to arrive in five minutes.

everyday

El autobús está programado para llegar en cinco minutos.

2

Please pay minute attention to the instructions.

formal

Por favor, preste la máxima atención a las instrucciones.

3

We only have a few minutes before the movie starts.

informal

Solo tenemos unos pocos minutos antes de que empiece la película.

4

The report detailed minute changes in the patient's condition.

academic

El informe detallaba cambios minúsculos en la condición del paciente.

5

The project deadline is in 48 hours, which is 2880 minutes.

business

La fecha límite del proyecto es en 48 horas, lo que equivale a 2880 minutos.

6

He noticed minute traces of gold in the rock sample.

scientific

Notó minúsculas trazas de oro en la muestra de roca.

類義語

moment instant sixty seconds short time bit while

よく使う組み合わせ

a minute un minuto
five minutes cinco minutos
in minutes en minutos
minute details detalles minúsculos
minute particles partículas minúsculas

よく使うフレーズ

in a minute

en un minuto

just a minute

solo un minuto

minute by minute

minuto a minuto

よく混同される語

minute vs moment

'Moment' refers to a brief, indefinite period of time, often emphasizing a specific point or instant, while 'minute' is a precise unit of 60 seconds.

minute vs minuet

'Minuet' is a type of slow, elegant dance in triple time, whereas 'minute' is a unit of time or an adjective for something small.

文法パターン

Number + minute(s) in + number + minute(s) minute + noun (adjective usage) a minute

How to Use It

使い方のコツ

The noun 'minute' (MIN-it) is a standard unit of time. The adjective 'minute' (my-NOOT) means extremely small and is often used for emphasis in formal contexts. Pay attention to pronunciation to distinguish between the two.


よくある間違い

Learners sometimes confuse the pronunciation, using 'MIN-it' when they mean 'my-NOOT' (very small), or vice versa. Ensure you are using the correct pronunciation based on whether you are referring to time or size.

Tips

💡

Remember the Pronunciation

When referring to time, say 'MIN-it'. For something very small, say 'my-NOOT'.

⚠️

Avoid Confusion

Be mindful of the context to ensure you use the correct meaning and pronunciation of 'minute'.

🌍

Time Perception

Different cultures may have varying perceptions of what constitutes a 'short' or 'long' minute in casual conversation.

語源

The word 'minute' comes from the Latin 'minuta', meaning 'small piece' or 'small part', reflecting its origin as a smaller division of an hour.

文化的な背景

In many Western cultures, punctuality is valued, making the precise use of minutes in scheduling important for professional and social interactions.

覚え方のコツ

Think of a 'MIN'ute as a 'MIN'imum block of time, but 'my-NOOT' sounds like 'my newt' which is very small!

よくある質問

10 問

The noun 'minute' (as in 60 seconds) is pronounced 'MIN-it'. The adjective 'minute' (meaning very small) is pronounced 'my-NOOT'.

There are exactly sixty seconds in one minute.

No, 'minute' is primarily used as a noun (unit of time) or an adjective (very small). It is not typically used as a verb.

The plural form of the noun 'minute' (unit of time) is 'minutes'.

The adjective 'minute' (pronounced my-NOOT) is often used in scientific, technical, or descriptive contexts to refer to very small details, particles, or changes.

Listen to the context. If it's about time, use 'MIN-it'. If it's about something very small or detailed, use 'my-NOOT'.

Yes, 'minute' as a unit of time is a very common word used in everyday conversation and writing.

An hour is a larger unit of time that is divided into sixty minutes.

While less common, 'minute' can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe something insignificant or trivial, especially when referring to details.

It usually means it will happen very soon, in a short amount of time, typically less than sixty seconds.

自分をテスト

fill blank

The instructions were very detailed, requiring ____ attention to the smallest points.

正解! おしい! 正解: minute

The sentence describes small details, so the adjective 'minute' (pronounced my-NOOT) is needed.

multiple choice

I'll be ready in just a minute!

正解! おしい! 正解: A unit of time (60 seconds)

In this common phrase, 'minute' refers to a short period of time, not its meaning as 'very small'.

sentence building

for / minutes / we / waited / ten

正解! おしい! 正解: we waited for ten minutes

This sentence correctly uses the plural noun 'minutes' to indicate a duration of time.

スコア: /3

Related Content

Timeの関連語

antetempful

C1

Describing an action, state, or mindset that occurs or is prepared significantly ahead of the expected or required time. It implies a proactive and anticipatory quality, often used to describe planning or behavior that preempts future needs.

antactate

C1

Describing a condition, action, or state that occurs or is required prior to a primary event or process. It is frequently used in technical or academic contexts to denote necessary preparatory measures or antecedent conditions.

April

A1

April is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, following March and preceding May. It has 30 days and is typically associated with the arrival of spring in the northern hemisphere.

prepaterent

C1

指定された時間や主要な出来事よりも前に、現れたり、見えたり、アクセス可能になったりすること。

period

B2

A length or portion of time that is defined by specific events, characteristics, or conditions. It can also refer to one of the divisions of a school day or a punctuation mark used at the end of a sentence.

lifetime

A1

人が生きている期間全体のことです。機械などの物が正常に機能する期間を指すこともあります。

Saturday

A1

金曜日の次、日曜日の前の日です。多くの文化で、休息や楽しみのための週末の最初の日にあたります。

day after tomorrow

A1

The day that comes after the one that follows today. It refers to a point in time two days into the future from the current day.

daytime

A1

The period of time during the day when there is light from the sun. It is the part of the day between sunrise and sunset when most people are active.

hours

B1

時間(hours)は60分を単位とします。仕事や特定の活動に割り当てられた時間枠を指すこともあります。

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