マジックアワー
majikku awā
The English phrase 'golden hour' is translated into Japanese as マジックアワー (majikku awā).
In Japanese, the term for the period of time shortly after sunrise or before sunset is almost exclusively referred to as マジックアワー. While English speakers often use the term 'golden hour', Japanese speakers in photography and film circles use this specific loanword to describe the same lighting phenomenon.
Meaning: period shortly after sunrise or before sunset (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
This term is a loanword from the English 'magic hour'.
How do you pronounce it?
majikku awā
Did you know?
- While マジックアワー describes the light, the native word 黄昏 (tasogare) literally means 'who is that?', referring to a time of day when the light is too dim to recognize a face.
- In traditional Japanese aesthetics, the fleeting beauty of the 'golden hour' aligns with the concept of 物の哀れ (mono no aware), the bittersweet realization that all beautiful things must pass.
- In Japanese pop culture, the 'magic hour' is often associated with エモい (emoi), a slang term used to describe a sudden surge of nostalgic or overwhelming emotion triggered by a scene.
Examples in context
- マジックアワーの空は本当に綺麗だ。Majikku awā no sora wa hontō ni kirei da.The sky during the magic hour is truly beautiful.
- マジックアワーに写真を撮りに行こう。Majikku awā ni shashin o tori ni ikō.Let's go take photos during the magic hour.
- マジックアワーの光はとても柔らかい。Majikku awā no hikari wa totemo yawarakai.The light during the magic hour is very soft.
Example conversation
Two friends are watching the sunset at a park.
- 美咲 Misaki見て、マジックアワーが始まったよ。Mite, majikku awā ga hajimatta yo.Look, the magic hour has started.
- 陽太 Yota本当だ、すごく綺麗な色だね。Hontō da, sugoku kirei na iro da ne.You're right, it's such a beautiful color.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太君、写真を撮ってもいい？Yōta-kun, shashin o totte mo ii?Yota, can I take a photo?
- 陽太 Yotaもちろん、美咲。撮っていいよ。Mochiron, Misaki. Totte ii yo.Of course, Misaki. Go ahead and take it.
