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ゾロ目アワー (zorome awā - matching digits hour, e.g., 11:11)

Grammar & Usage

fixed expression

neutral

How it works

This phrase is a compound noun. 'ゾロ目' (zorome) means 'matching digits' or 'consecutive identical numbers' (especially on dice, car plates, or clocks), and 'アワー' (awā) is a loanword from English 'hour'. It refers specifically to times like 11:11, 22:22, 00:00, etc., which are often considered special or lucky.

Sample sentences

時計を見たらちょうど11時11分で、ゾロ目アワーだった。

I looked at the clock, and it was exactly 11:11, the matching digits hour.

ゾロ目アワーに願い事をすると叶うって聞いたことがあるよ。

I've heard that if you make a wish during the matching digits hour, it'll come true.

運転中、前の車のナンバープレートがゾロ目アワーだった。

While driving, the license plate of the car in front had matching digits.

Quick facts

origin:Wasei-eigo (Japanese-made English) 'awā' combined with native Japanese 'zorome'.

cultural_nuance:Times with matching digits (like 11:11) are often seen as auspicious or a good opportunity to make a wish, similar to how 11:11 is viewed in some Western cultures.

Often used with

ゾロ目を踏む (zorome o fumu - to step on matching digits, e.g., on a pedestrian crossing light timer)

ゾロ目ナンバー (zorome nanbā - matching digit license plate)

ゾロ目の時間 (zorome no jikan - time with matching digits)

ラッキーゾロ目 (rakkī zorome - lucky matching digits)

Mnemonic

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Example

時計を見たらちょうど11時11分で、ゾロ目アワーだった。

I looked at the clock, and it was exactly 11:11, the matching digits hour.

ゾロ目アワーに願い事をすると叶うって聞いたことがあるよ。

I've heard that if you make a wish during the matching digits hour, it'll come true.