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A1 noun #3,837 most common 8 min read

午後

gogo Top 3,837

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 午後 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 午後 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'gogo' means 'P.M.' or 'afternoon' and that it comes before the time. You should be able to say things like 'gogo 3-ji' (3 PM) and understand that it is the opposite of 'gozen' (A.M.). Focus on using it with simple verbs like 'go,' 'eat,' and 'sleep.' You will mostly use it to clarify your daily schedule to others. It is one of the first time-related words you will learn because it is essential for basic communication. You don't need to worry about complex nuances yet; just remember the word order and the basic meaning.

At the A2 level, you should start using 'gogo' as a noun to describe blocks of time, not just as a prefix for hours. For example, 'gogo wa isogashii desu' (I am busy in the afternoon). You should also be comfortable connecting it to other days, such as 'kinō no gogo' (yesterday afternoon) or 'ashita no gogo' (tomorrow afternoon). You will begin to notice the difference between 'gogo' and 'hiru' in context. You should also be able to use 'gogo' in simple 'from... to...' sentences, like 'gogo 1-ji kara 3-ji made' (from 1 PM to 3 PM).

By B1, you should be using 'gogo' in more complex sentence structures, including those with relative clauses or conditional forms. You might say 'Gogo ni ame ga futtara, ikimasen' (If it rains in the afternoon, I won't go). You should also be aware of formal contexts where 'gogo' is used in announcements and written schedules. At this level, you should start to distinguish between 'gogo' and 'yūgata' (evening) more naturally, choosing the word that best fits the social context. You will also encounter the kanji regularly and should be able to read and write it without hesitation.

At the B2 level, you understand the nuance of 'gogo' in professional and academic settings. You can use it in business emails to set up appointments precisely. You also understand that while 'gogo' technically goes until midnight, using it for late-night times might sound slightly strange in casual conversation. You are comfortable with related terms like 'gogo-jū' (throughout the afternoon) and can use 'gogo' to contrast different parts of a day in a more sophisticated narrative. You might also notice its use in newspaper headlines or news reports where brevity is key.

At the C1 level, your use of 'gogo' is perfectly natural and indistinguishable from a native speaker's in terms of timing and register. You understand its role in formal documents and legal contexts where 'gogo 12-ji' (midnight) versus 'gozen 0-ji' (midnight) might be a point of technical precision. You can appreciate the word's presence in literature to set a specific mood (e.g., the stillness of an afternoon). You are also aware of regional variations or specific dialects that might favor other terms, though 'gogo' remains the standard you use in all professional and public speaking situations.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'gogo' and all its temporal implications in Japanese culture. You understand the historical development of the 'Horse' (午) radical and how the 12-hour zodiac system evolved into the modern timekeeping system. You can discuss the philosophical or sociological aspects of how the 'afternoon' is perceived in Japanese society compared to other cultures. You can use the word with total flexibility in any register, from the most archaic literary styles to modern corporate jargon, and you never fail to place it correctly in complex, multi-layered sentences.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

午後 in 30 Seconds

午後 (gogo) means afternoon or P.M. in Japanese.
It always precedes the specific hour (e.g., 午後３時).
It covers the entire period from noon until midnight.
It is the opposite of 午前 (gozen), which means A.M.

The Japanese word 午後 (ごご - gogo) is a fundamental time-related noun that every beginner must master. At its most basic level, it translates to 'afternoon' or 'P.M.' in English. However, its usage is more structured than the English 'afternoon,' which can sometimes be vague. In Japanese, gogo specifically refers to the entire period from 12:00 PM (noon) until midnight. While in English we might distinguish between 'afternoon' and 'evening,' gogo functions primarily as a chronological marker to differentiate the second half of the day from the first half, which is gozen (A.M.).

Etymological Breakdown: The first kanji, 午, represents the 'Horse' from the Chinese zodiac, which traditionally corresponds to the hours between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, with 12:00 PM being the peak. The second kanji, 後, means 'after' or 'behind.' Therefore, gogo literally means 'after the hour of the horse' or 'after noon.'

In daily life, you will hear this word constantly. Whether you are booking a doctor's appointment, checking train schedules, or setting up a lunch date, gogo is the essential prefix. Unlike English, where 'P.M.' usually follows the number (3:00 P.M.), in Japanese, gogo almost always precedes the time (午後３時). This structural difference is a common hurdle for English speakers, but it becomes second nature with practice. It is also used as a general noun to describe the afternoon block of time, such as in the phrase 'this afternoon' (kyō no gogo).

今日の午後、雨が降るそうです。 (It is said that it will rain this afternoon.)

Common Contexts: Work meetings, school schedules, television listings, and weather forecasts are the primary domains where you will encounter this word. It provides the necessary clarity to ensure people don't show up for a meeting twelve hours early or late.

午後の紅茶を楽しみましょう。 (Let's enjoy some afternoon tea.)

Furthermore, gogo carries a slight nuance of 'business hours' or 'active hours' when used in professional settings. If a shop says they are open in the gogo, they usually mean from noon until their closing time, which might be 6:00 PM or 8:00 PM. While technically gogo extends to midnight, people often switch to words like ban (evening) or yoru (night) once the sun goes down to be more descriptive. However, for digital clocks and official scheduling, gogo remains the standard marker for the entire PM duration.

Using 午後 correctly involves understanding its placement in a sentence. The most important rule to remember is that when specifying a time, 午後 comes before the hour. For example, '1:00 PM' is 午後１時 (gogo ichi-ji). This is the opposite of the English '1 PM.' If you say ichi-ji gogo, it sounds unnatural and may confuse the listener. This pattern applies to all time-related particles and verbs that follow the time.

Sentence Pattern: Time Specification: [午後] + [Hour] + [時] + [Particle]. Example: 午後２時に行きます (I will go at 2 PM).

When you want to refer to 'the afternoon' as a block of time rather than a specific point, you can treat it like a regular noun. You can use the particle no to connect it to other nouns. For instance, 'afternoon meeting' is gogo no kaigi. To say 'in the afternoon,' you would typically say gogo ni or simply gogo depending on the verb. If you are talking about something that happens throughout the afternoon, gogo-jū (throughout the afternoon) is a useful variation.

午後は家で勉強します。 (As for the afternoon, I will study at home.)

Another important aspect is combining gogo with relative time words like 'today,' 'tomorrow,' or 'yesterday.' To say 'tomorrow afternoon,' you say ashita no gogo. You can also omit the no in some casual contexts, but keeping it is grammatically safer. In professional emails, specifying gogo is crucial to avoid ambiguity, especially when dealing with international clients who might be in different time zones, though usually, the Japanese 24-hour clock is preferred in those specific high-stakes scenarios.

Complex Usage: You can also use gogo to indicate a range. For example, 午後１時から５時まで (From 1 PM until 5 PM). Notice how the word gogo can apply to the entire range or be repeated for emphasis.

明日の午後、お電話します。 (I will call you tomorrow afternoon.)

In Japan, 午後 is ubiquitous. You will hear it as soon as you step into a train station or a department store. Public announcements often use it to announce schedules. For example, 'The next express train will depart at 2:30 PM' would be announced using gogo ni-ji san-juppun. It is the language of structure and planning. In the workplace, your boss might ask if you are free in the gogo for a quick sync. It sounds professional yet standard, fitting perfectly into the teineigo (polite Japanese) used in most daily interactions.

TV and Media: News anchors frequently use gogo when reporting events that occurred earlier in the day or predicting the weather. 'This afternoon, temperatures will rise' is a staple phrase in Japanese meteorology.

In social settings, the word is used to distinguish plans. If a friend asks, 'When should we meet?' you might reply, 'Gogo wa dō?' (How about the afternoon?). It acts as a convenient bucket for any time after lunch. Interestingly, while younger generations might use more casual slang for other things, gogo remains the standard term because there isn't a more 'casual' way to say P.M. without using specific hours or words like hiru-sugi (just after noon).

本日の午後は休業いたします。 (We will be closed this afternoon.)

You will also see gogo in written form everywhere: on posters, digital signs, and receipts. In many Japanese restaurants, lunch menus are only available until the gogo transition, after which the dinner menu (often more expensive) takes over. Understanding this word is not just about vocabulary; it's about navigating the temporal landscape of Japanese society. From the 'Gogo no Kocha' (Afternoon Tea) brand of bottled tea found in every vending machine to the 'Gogo no Wide' talk shows on TV, the word is woven into the fabric of Japanese consumer culture.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make when using 午後 is its placement in relation to the time. In English, we say '3 PM,' so beginners often want to say '3-ji gogo.' This is incorrect. In Japanese, the modifier always comes before the noun it modifies. Since gogo modifies the time, it must come first: gogo 3-ji. Think of it like saying 'The afternoon's 3 o'clock.'

Mistake: Word Order: Incorrect: ５時午後 (5-ji gogo). Correct: 午後５時 (Gogo 5-ji).

Another common error is confusing gogo with hiru (noon/daytime). While hiru refers to the time around lunch or the period when the sun is up, gogo is a strict chronological marker. You wouldn't say 'gogo gohan' for lunch; you say 'hiru gohan.' Conversely, you wouldn't usually use 'hiru' to mean 'P.M.' on a digital clock. Using them interchangeably can lead to awkward sentences that sound like 'I'll meet you at P.M. rice' instead of 'I'll meet you for lunch.'

❌ 午後ご飯を食べます。 (I eat afternoon rice - Unnatural)

A third mistake involves the transition from afternoon to evening. As mentioned, gogo technically lasts until midnight. However, if you are meeting someone at 7:00 PM for dinner, saying gogo shichi-ji is technically correct but can feel a bit clinical or overly formal. In casual conversation, people often switch to yoru no shichi-ji (7 at night). Beginners often stick too rigidly to gogo and end up sounding like a robot or a train station announcement rather than a person. Finally, watch out for the kanji! The first kanji 午 (noon) looks very similar to 牛 (cow). Don't write 'cow-after' (gyū-go) when you mean 'afternoon'!

While 午後 is the most common way to say afternoon, there are several other words you should know to sound more natural and precise in different contexts. Understanding the nuances between these words will elevate your Japanese from 'textbook' to 'fluent.'

昼 (Hiru): Refers to noon or the daytime in general. It is more informal than gogo and is used in words like hiruyasumi (lunch break). Use this when talking about the sun being out or the middle of the day.
昼過ぎ (Hirusugi): Literally 'past noon.' This is used to describe the early afternoon, roughly between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. It's a great way to be slightly more specific than just saying 'afternoon.'
夕方 (Yūgata): This means 'evening' or 'dusk.' While gogo technically covers this time, yūgata is much better for describing the time when the sun is setting (around 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM).

In more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter shōgo-go (after midday), though this is rare in speech. For business scheduling, you might also see PM written in English letters, which is understood by almost everyone in Japan. However, in spoken Japanese, gogo remains the king. If you want to say 'throughout the afternoon,' use gogo-jū. If you want to say 'late afternoon,' you could say gogo osoku.

比較:
午後３時 (Strictly 3:00 PM)
昼過ぎ (Vaguely after 12:00 PM)
夕方 (When it starts getting dark)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji for noon (午) is actually a simplified drawing of a pestle, but it was borrowed to represent the zodiac sign of the Horse.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɡəʊ.ɡəʊ/

US /ɡoʊ.ɡoʊ/

Heiban (Flat) style. The pitch stays relatively even across both syllables.

Rhymes With

Koko (here) Soko (there) Doko (where) Hoko (halberd) Moko (vague) Roko (filter) Toko (bed) Yoko (side)

Common Errors

Stressing the first 'go' too much like English 'GO-go'.
Elongating the 'o' sounds into 'gō-gō'. They should be short.
Pronouncing the 'g' as a 'j' sound.
Confusing the pitch with 'gogo' (five-five), though context usually clears this up.
Adding a 'u' at the end (gogou) which is incorrect.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

The kanji are very common and taught early in elementary school.

Writing 2/5

後 has several strokes and requires careful practice.

Speaking 1/5

Pronunciation is simple for English speakers.

Listening 1/5

Clear sound, easily distinguishable from other words.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

午前 (gozen) 時 (ji) 今 (ima) 今日 (kyō) 昼 (hiru)

Learn Next

夕方 (yūgata) 夜 (yoru) 分 (fun/pun) 半 (han) 明日 (ashita)

Advanced

正午 (shōgo) 日没 (nichibotsu) 黄昏 (tasogare) 丑三つ時 (ushimitsudoki) 未明 (mimei)

Grammar to Know

Time particles (ni)

午後３時に行きます。

Noun modification with 'no'

午後の授業。

Kara/Made with time

午後１時から。

Topic marker 'wa'

午後は暇です。

Adverbial usage without particle

午後、会いましょう。

Examples by Level

午後１時です。

It is 1 PM.

Gogo comes before the number.

午後三時に会いましょう。

Let's meet at 3 PM.

Ni is the time particle.

午後、お茶を飲みます。

I drink tea in the afternoon.

Gogo can be used without a specific hour.

今は午後ですか。

Is it afternoon now?

Question form using desu ka.

午後、学校へ行きます。

I go to school in the afternoon.

Directional particle e.

午後五時に終わります。

It finishes at 5 PM.

Owarimasu means to finish.

午後、休みます。

I will rest in the afternoon.

Yasumimasu means to rest.

明日の午後、暇ですか。

Are you free tomorrow afternoon?

Hima means free or not busy.

昨日の午後は雨でした。

Yesterday afternoon was rainy.

Kinō no gogo specifies yesterday's afternoon.

午後は何をしますか。

What will you do in the afternoon?

Wa marks the afternoon as the topic.

午後の会議は長かったです。

The afternoon meeting was long.

No connects gogo to kaigi (meeting).

午後２時から４時まで勉強します。

I study from 2 PM to 4 PM.

Kara... made... (from... to...).

土曜日の午後は買い物をします。

I do shopping on Saturday afternoons.

Doyōbi no gogo (Saturday afternoon).

午後は少し暑くなります。

It gets a little hot in the afternoon.

Atsuku narimasu (becomes hot).

午後、郵便局へ行かなければなりません。

I must go to the post office in the afternoon.

Nakeraba narimasen (must do).

今日の午後は予定がありません。

I have no plans for this afternoon.

Yotei means plans or schedule.

午後の便で出発します。

I will depart on an afternoon flight.

Ben refers to a flight or trip.

午後は図書館で過ごすことが多いです。

I often spend my afternoons at the library.

Koto ga ooi (it often happens that...).

午後の講義は中止になりました。

The afternoon lecture has been cancelled.

Chūshi means cancellation.

午後の日差しが部屋に入ってきます。

The afternoon sunlight is coming into the room.

Hizashi means sunlight.

午後はゆっくり読書をしたいです。

I want to enjoy reading slowly in the afternoon.

Tai form for desire.

午後の紅茶を飲みながら話をしました。

We talked while drinking afternoon tea.

Nagara indicates simultaneous actions.

午後は仕事に集中できました。

I was able to concentrate on work in the afternoon.

Potential form (dekita).

午後の早い時間に電話をください。

Please call me in the early afternoon.

Hayai jikan (early time).

午後のスケジュールを確認させてください。

Please let me confirm the afternoon schedule.

Saseru (causative) + kudasai (please let me).

午後は天気が崩れる見込みです。

The weather is expected to deteriorate in the afternoon.

Mikomi means expectation or forecast.

午後のひとときをカフェで過ごしました。

I spent a moment of the afternoon at a cafe.

Hitotoki means a moment or short period of time.

午後の部は２時から開始いたします。

The afternoon session will begin at 2 o'clock.

Itashimasu is humble Japanese (kenjōgo).

午後の眠気に勝つのは大変です。

It's hard to overcome afternoon drowsiness.

Nemuke means sleepiness/drowsiness.

午後は外出する予定が入っています。

I have an appointment to go out in the afternoon.

Gaishutsu means going out.

午後の光は写真撮影に最適です。

The afternoon light is ideal for photography.

Saiteki means most suitable/optimal.

午後は比較的、道が空いています。

The roads are relatively clear in the afternoon.

Hikakuteki means relatively.

午後の静寂が町を包み込んでいた。

The stillness of the afternoon enveloped the town.

Seijaku means silence/stillness.

午後の診療は予約制となっております。

Afternoon medical consultations are by appointment only.

Yoyaku-sei (appointment system).

午後の気だるい空気が漂っている。

A listless afternoon atmosphere is in the air.

Kedaru-i means listless or languid.

午後の日課として散歩を欠かさない。

I never miss a walk as part of my afternoon routine.

Kakkasanai (don't miss/omit).

午後の光線が斜めに差し込んでいる。

The afternoon rays are shining in at an angle.

Kōsen means light rays.

午後の時間帯は混雑が予想されます。

Congestion is expected during the afternoon hours.

Jikantai (time slot/period).

午後のひととき、優雅な音楽に耳を傾ける。

I listen to elegant music during a moment in the afternoon.

Mimi o katamukeru (to listen intently).

午後は一転して晴れ模様となった。

In the afternoon, the weather changed completely to sunny.

Itten shite (changing completely).

午後の斜光が、古びた書架に陰影を落としていた。

The slanted afternoon light cast shadows on the aged bookshelves.

Shakō (slanted light) and in'ei (shadows/shading).

午後の倦怠に身を任せ、彼は物思いに耽った。

Surrendering to afternoon boredom, he indulged in deep thought.

Kentai (fatigue/boredom) and fukeru (to be engrossed in).

午後の微睡みの中で、懐かしい夢を見た。

In the midst of an afternoon doze, I had a nostalgic dream.

Madoromi means a slumber or doze.

午後の陽光が、波打ち際を黄金色に染めている。

The afternoon sunlight is dyeing the shoreline golden.

Yōkō (sunlight) and namiuchigiwa (shoreline).

午後の静謐を破るように、遠くで鐘が鳴った。

As if to break the afternoon tranquility, a bell rang in the distance.

Seihitsu means tranquility or peace.

午後のひととき、万象が静止したかのような錯覚に陥る。

For a moment in the afternoon, one falls into the illusion that all things have stopped.

Banshō (all things/creation).

午後の斜陽が、彼の横顔を寂しげに照らし出した。

The setting afternoon sun lonely illuminated his profile.

Shayō (setting sun).

午後の気配が、次第に夕闇へと溶け込んでいく。

The presence of the afternoon gradually dissolves into the dusk.

Kehai (presence/indication).

Synonyms

昼過ぎ昼下がり PM 午後中アフタヌーン

Antonyms

午前朝

Common Collocations

午後の紅茶

午後の会議

午後の便

午後の授業

午後の日差し

午後のひととき

午後一番

午後の診療

午後の部

午後遅く

Common Phrases

今日の午後

— This afternoon.

今日の午後は暇です。

明日の午後

— Tomorrow afternoon.

明日の午後に電話します。

昨日の午後

— Yesterday afternoon.

昨日の午後は寝ていました。

午後から

— Starting from the afternoon.

午後から忙しくなります。

午後まで

— Until the afternoon.

午後まで待ちます。

午後は休み

— Off/Closed in the afternoon.

水曜日は午後は休みです。

午後の予定

— Afternoon plans/schedule.

午後の予定を教えてください。

午後の早い時間

— Early afternoon.

午後の早い時間に来てください。

午後の遅い時間

— Late afternoon.

午後の遅い時間まで働きます。

午後中

— All afternoon / throughout the afternoon.

午後中、ずっと会議でした。

Often Confused With

午後 vs 牛 (ushi)

The kanji for cow looks almost identical to the first kanji of gogo.

午後 vs 午前 (gozen)

Beginners often flip the two; remember 'zen' is before, 'go' is after.

午後 vs 昼 (hiru)

Hiru is the concept of 'noon' or 'daylight,' while gogo is the clock marker.

Idioms & Expressions

"午後の眠気"

— The post-lunch slump or drowsiness.

午後の眠気に襲われる。

Common

"午後の静寂"

— The specific quietness of a sunny afternoon.

午後の静寂を楽しむ。

Literary

"午後一（ごごいち）"

— The very first task or meeting in the afternoon (usually 1 PM).

午後一で連絡します。

Business Slang

"午後の光"

— The warm, angled light of the afternoon.

午後の光が美しい。

Artistic

"午後の影"

— Long shadows cast in the afternoon.

午後の影が伸びる。

Descriptive

"午後のティータイム"

— Afternoon tea time.

午後のティータイムにしましょう。

Social

"午後の散歩"

— A routine afternoon walk.

午後の散歩に出かける。

Lifestyle

"午後の気配"

— The feeling or signs of the afternoon progressing.

午後の気配を感じる。

Nuanced

"午後の余暇"

— Afternoon leisure time.

午後の余暇を充実させる。

Formal

"午後のまどろみ"

— An afternoon nap or half-sleep.

午後のまどろみに沈む。

Poetic

Easily Confused

午後 vs 昼過ぎ (hirusugi)

Both refer to the time after noon.

Gogo is a technical clock term (PM); Hirusugi is a vague descriptive term (early afternoon).

午後１時 (1 PM) vs 昼過ぎに (Sometime after noon).

午後 vs 夕方 (yūgata)

Both can describe the late afternoon.

Gogo is any time after 12 PM; Yūgata is specifically when the sun is setting.

午後５時 (5 PM) vs 夕方 (Evening/Dusk).

午後 vs 日中 (nicchū)

Both refer to the day.

Nicchū means 'during the day' (sunlight hours); Gogo is specifically the second half of the 24-hour cycle.

日中は暑い (It's hot during the day).

午後 vs 夜 (yoru)

Gogo technically includes the night.

Gogo is used for clock times (PM); Yoru is used to describe the period of darkness.

午後８時 (8 PM) vs 夜に (At night).

午後 vs 正午 (shōgo)

Sounds similar.

Shōgo is exactly 12:00 noon; Gogo is everything after that.

正午にランチ (Lunch at noon).

Sentence Patterns

午後 [Time] です。

午後２時です。

午後 [Time] に [Verb]。

午後３時に来ます。

[Day] の午後、[Verb]。

明日の午後、行きます。

午後は [Adjective] です。

午後は忙しいです。

午後は [Verb-plain] ことが多いです。

午後は寝ることが多いです。

午後の [Noun] は [Verb]。

午後の会議は中止です。

午後は [Noun] が予想されます。

午後は雨が予想されます。

午後の [Noun] に [Verb] を委ねる。

午後の静寂に身を委ねる。

Word Family

Nouns

正午 (shōgo) - noon

午前 (gozen) - A.M.

時間 (jikan) - time

時計 (tokei) - clock

昼 (hiru) - noon

夜 (yoru) - night

夕方 (yūgata) - evening

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high; used multiple times daily by almost every speaker.

Common Mistakes

Using '3-ji gogo' → 午後３時 (Gogo 3-ji)
Japanese modifiers must precede the noun/time they modify.
Writing 牛後 → 午後
Confusing 'cow' (牛) with 'noon' (午).
Using 'gogo' for lunch → 昼ごはん (hiru-gohan)
Gogo is a time marker, not a synonym for the meal 'lunch'.
Saying 'gogo' for 15:00 → 15時 (jūgo-ji)
Don't mix the 24-hour clock with AM/PM markers.
Using 'gogo' for 1 AM → 午前１時 (gozen ichi-ji)
Confusing 'after' (後) with 'before' (前).

Tips

Word Order

Always place 午後 before the hour. It acts as a label for the time that follows.

Cow vs. Noon

Check the top of 午. If the line sticks out, you've written 'cow' (牛). Keep it clean for 'noon'!

Punctuality

If you have a meeting at 午後１時, arrive at 12:55. Japanese 'gogo' times are precise.

Gogo-jū

Add 'jū' (中) to the end of gogo to mean 'throughout the whole afternoon'.

TV Schedules

Watch Japanese TV listings; they use 午後 and 午前 constantly. It's great practice.

Greeting Shift

After 12:00 PM (gogo), you should switch from 'Ohayō' to 'Konnichiwa'.

Noon vs. 12 PM

12:00 PM can be called 'shōgo' or 'gogo jūni-ji'. Both are understood.

The 'No' Particle

When combining with days, use 'no': 'Kyō no gogo', 'Kinō no gogo'.

Go-Go Horse

Remember the Horse zodiac (午) and just 'go' after it (後).

Business Slang

Learn 'Gogo-ichi' to sound like a pro in a Japanese office.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'GO' (as in move) and 'GO' again. In the afternoon, you 'GO' to your second set of tasks.

Visual Association

Imagine a Horse (午) standing in the middle of a field, and the sun moving 'behind' (後) it as the day progresses.

Word Web

Time Clock P.M. Afternoon Schedule Sun Noon Meeting

Challenge

Try to say every hour from 1 PM to 6 PM using 'gogo' before the number out loud three times.

Word Origin

Derived from Middle Chinese. The kanji '午' (uma) refers to the 7th Earthly Branch (the Horse), representing 12:00 PM. '後' means after.

Original meaning: The period following the hour of the Horse.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral time-related term.

English speakers use 'P.M.' after the time, but Japanese speakers use 'gogo' before. This is the biggest hurdle.

Gogo no Kocha (Afternoon Tea) - A very famous brand of bottled tea. Gogo no Wide - A common name for afternoon variety TV shows. The kanji 午 (Horse) is seen in many traditional temples.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Setting a meeting

午後２時はどうですか？
午後は空いています。
午後の予定を確認します。
午後からお願いします。

Weather forecasts

午後から雨でしょう。
午後は晴れます。
午後は風が強くなります。
午後の気温は高いです。

Travel and Transport

午後の便を予約する。
午後の電車は混みます。
午後に到着します。
午後に出発です。

Shopping and Dining

午後は休みです。
午後のメニューはこちらです。
午後にまた来ます。
午後のセール。

Daily Routine

午後は昼寝をします。
午後に買い物をします。
午後は勉強の時間です。
午後は散歩します。

Conversation Starters

"今日の午後は何か予定がありますか？ (Do you have any plans for this afternoon?)"

"午後の会議は何時からでしたっけ？ (What time was the afternoon meeting again?)"

"午後の紅茶、一緒にいかがですか？ (Would you like some afternoon tea with me?)"

"午後はどこかへ出かけますか？ (Are you going out somewhere this afternoon?)"

"午後の日差しが気持ちいいですね。 (The afternoon sun feels good, doesn't it?)"

Journal Prompts

今日の午後にしたことを詳しく書いてください。 (Write in detail about what you did this afternoon.)

あなたの理想的な午後の過ごし方は何ですか？ (What is your ideal way to spend an afternoon?)

午後の仕事や勉強で、集中力を保つために何をしていますか？ (What do you do to stay focused during afternoon work or study?)

午後の景色で一番好きなものは何ですか？ (What is your favorite thing about afternoon scenery?)

昨日と今日の午後の違いについて書いてください。 (Write about the differences between yesterday's and today's afternoon.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, technically 午後 (P.M.) covers the entire time from 12:00 noon until 12:00 midnight. However, once it gets dark, people often use words like 'yoru' (night) to describe the time socially, even if they still use 'gogo' for the clock time.

午後 is a formal time marker meaning 'P.M.' while 昼 (hiru) refers more generally to 'noon' or 'daytime.' You use 午後 for specific times (午後３時) and 昼 for general concepts (昼ごはん - lunch).

No, that is a common mistake for English speakers. In Japanese, the modifier comes first. It must be '午後３時' (Afternoon 3 o'clock), never '３時午後'.

No, if you are using the 24-hour clock (e.g., 15:00), you do not need to say 午後. You would just say 'jūgo-ji' (15:00). 午後 is specifically for the 12-hour clock.

The first kanji is 午 (noon, 4 strokes) and the second is 後 (after, 9 strokes). Be careful not to let the vertical stroke of 午 cross the top horizontal line, or it becomes 'cow' (牛).

The opposite is 午前 (gozen), which means 'A.M.' or 'morning' (from midnight to noon).

It is neutral and used in all levels of politeness, from casual conversations to formal announcements.

In business, 'gogo-ichi' is slang for the very first thing to be done in the afternoon, usually right at 1:00 PM when people return from lunch.

You say 'ashita no gogo.' The particle 'no' connects the day to the time of day.

In text, people sometimes just use 'PM' or the 24-hour clock, but in speech, 'gogo' is already quite short and the standard term.