夕方
yūgata[jɯ̟ːɡa̠ta̠]
The Japanese word for evening is 夕方 (yūgata).
夕方 refers to the time of day during the transition from daylight to darkness, specifically around dusk or sunset. It is used to describe the period when the sun is setting rather than the late-night hours.
Meaning: time of day between dusk and night (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 夕, meaning evening or dusk and 方, meaning direction or side.
Which one should you use?
While 夕方 refers to the period around dusk or sunset, the word 晩 (ban) is used for later in the evening or to refer to the night period.
How do you pronounce it?
yūgata
Did you know?
- In very old Japanese literature, the period of evening was sometimes referred to as 逢魔時 (ōmagatoki), meaning 'the time when demons meet', referring to the spooky transition between light and dark.
- In Japanese, the kanji 夕 (evening) is a simplified drawing of a crescent moon rising in the sky.
- In traditional Japanese poetry, the 'evening' is often associated with the 'bell of the evening' (夕鐘), which historically signaled the end of the workday in Buddhist temples.
Examples in context
- 夕方の五時です。It's five in the evening.This sentence shows how to specify a time of day within the evening using 夕方.Tatoeba #79043 by small_snow, translation #324673 by sundown
- 夕方が近づいていた。Evening was drawing near.This sentence describes the approach of the evening using 夕方.Tatoeba #79051 by small_snow, translation #324662 by CM
- 夕方私は犬と散歩する。In the evening, I walk with my dog.This sentence illustrates a common evening activity using 夕方.Tatoeba #79037 by bunbuku, translation #324680 by CM
- 57 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking near a station at sunset.
- 美咲 Misaki夕方は少し肌寒いね。Yuugata wa sukoshi hadazamui ne.The evening is a little chilly, isn't it?
- 健太 Kentaそうだね。風が冷たくなってきた。Sou da ne. Kaze ga tsumetaku natte kita.You're right. The wind has become cold.
- 美咲 Misaki健太君、温かい飲み物でも買う？Kenta-kun, atatakai nomimono demo kau?Kenta, shall we buy a warm drink or something?
- 健太 Kenta賛成。あそこのカフェに行こう。Sansei. Asoko no kafe ni ikou.I agree. Let's go to that cafe over there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 夕方, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
