낮
nat[na̠t̚]
The English phrase 'daytime' is translated into Korean as 낮 (nat). If unsure, use 낮. Wiktionary also lists 하루 (haru).
Meaning: the time of daylight (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 낮 | nat | [na̠t̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 하루 | haru | [ha̠ɾu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The word 낮 refers specifically to the period of daylight. For a more specific reference to the daytime hours between morning and evening, the term 주간 can be used.
Which one should you use?
낮 refers specifically to the period of daylight, which serves as the antonym to 밤 (night). In contrast, 하루 refers to a full 24-hour day or the entire duration of a single day.
How do you pronounce it?
nat
Did you know?
- The word 낮 can be combined with other words to describe a 'nap', called 낮잠, which literally translates to 'day sleep'.
- The word 낮 is closely related to the word 날, which can mean 'day' or 'weather' depending on the context.
- The word 낮 has been a part of the Korean lexicon for at least six centuries, appearing in major historical texts from 1447.
Examples in context
- 오늘은 낮에 영화를 보러 갈까요?Shall we go watch a movie during the daytime?
- 나는 낮 동안에 친구들과 공원에서 놀았어요.I played in the park with my friends during the daytime.
- 낮에는 날씨가 아주 따뜻해요.najeneun nalssiga aju ttatteuthaeyo.The weather is very warm during the daytime.
- 저는 낮에 주로 공부해요.jeoneun naje juro gongbuhaeyo.I usually study during the daytime.
- 낮 동안은 밝아요.naj doang-eun balkayo.It is bright during the daytime.
Example conversation
Minjun and Minji are talking about their schedules.
- 민준 Min-jun민지 씨, 낮에 시간이 있어요?Minji ssi, naje sigani isseoyo?Minji, do you have time during the daytime?
- 민지 Min-ji아니요, 낮에는 계속 바빠요.aniyo, najeneun gyesok bappayo.No, I am busy all through the daytime.
- 민준 Min-jun그럼 저녁에 만날까요?geureom jeonyeoge mannalkkayo?Then shall we meet in the evening?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 저녁에는 괜찮아요.ne, jeonyeogeneun gwaenchannayo.Yes, the evening is fine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “daytime” translations and entries 낮, 하루, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 낮, 하루, CC BY-SA 4.0.
