How to Say "Horizon" in Japanese

地平線

chiheisen[t͡ɕihe̞ːsẽ̞ɴ]

The English phrase horizon is translated into Japanese as 地平線 (chiheisen). Wiktionary also lists 水平線 (suiheisen).

Meaning: line that appears to separate the Earth from the sky (noun)

Ways to say it

“horizon” in Japanese
Japanese	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
地平線	chiheisen	[t͡ɕihe̞ːsẽ̞ɴ] (narrow)
水平線	suiheisen	[sɨihe̞ːsẽ̞ɴ] (narrow)

This noun refers to the line that appears to separate the Earth from the sky.

The word 地平線 is composed of 地 (earth), 平 (flat/level) and 線 (line).

Use 地平線 when referring to the horizon where the earth meets the sky, but use 水平線 when referring to the horizon where the sea meets the sky.

chiheisen

When talking about the 'event horizon' of a black hole, Japanese uses the term 事象の地平線, applying the 'land' version of the word to outer space.
The character 平 in both 地平線 and 水平線 is used in the word 平和, which means 'peace'.
Because of the distinction between 地平線 and 水平線, a mistake in a poem or song regarding the setting might change the perceived landscape entirely.

地平線の上に月が見えた。
I saw the moon above the horizon.
This sentence is useful for showing the moon above the horizon using 地平線.
Tatoeba #126842 by bunbuku, translation #277248 by CK
月が地平線の上にあった。
The moon was above the horizon.
This sentence is useful for describing the moon's position above the horizon using 地平線.
Tatoeba #202585 by KK_kaku_, translation #39820 by Swift
太陽が地平線の下に沈んだ。
The sun sank below the horizon.
This sentence is useful for describing the sun sinking below the horizon using 地平線.
Tatoeba #138153 by bunbuku, translation #275075 by CM
地平線まで何キロありますか？
How many kilometers to the horizon?
朝日が地平線から昇ります。
The sun rises from the horizon.
16 more sentences on Tatoeba

Misaki and Kenta are watching the sunset in a field.

美咲 Misaki

見て、地平線がすごくきれいだよ。
Mite, chiheisen ga sugoku kirei da yo.
Look, the horizon is so beautiful.
健太 Kenta

本当だ。空の色が変わってきたね。
Hontō da. Sora no iro ga kawatte kita ne.
You're right. The color of the sky has started to change.
美咲 Misaki

太陽が地平線に消えていくよ。
Taiyō ga chiheisen ni kiete iku yo.
The sun is disappearing into the horizon.
健太 Kenta

いい景色だね、美咲。
Ii keshiki da ne, Misaki.
It's a great view, Misaki.

Sources

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