日没
nichibotsu[ɲ̟it͡ɕibo̞t͡sɨ]
The English phrase 'sunset' is translated into Japanese as 日没 (nichibotsu) or 日の入り (hinoiri).
Meaning: time of day (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 日没 | nichibotsu | [ɲ̟it͡ɕibo̞t͡sɨ] (narrow) |
| 日の入り | hinoiri | [çi no̞ iɾʲi] (narrow) |
What does it mean word for word?
The term 日没 is composed of the characters for 'sun' and 'sink' or 'submerge'. The term 日の入り literally means 'the sun's entry' (into the horizon).
Which one should you use?
日没 is a more formal, technical or astronomical term, while 日の入り is a more common way to describe the sunset. To describe the opposite phenomenon, sunrise, you would use 日の出.
How do you pronounce it?
nichibotsu
Did you know?
- In traditional Japanese literature, the period around 日没 is associated with 逢魔が時 (oma-ga-toki), the 'hour of meeting demons' when the world of humans and spirits blur.
- The word 日没 (nichibotsu) shares its second character with 没後 (botsugo), which refers to the time that has passed since someone's death.
- The word 黄昏 (tasogare) shares a historical connection with the idea of 'twilight' being a time when one's vision is dim, making it hard to recognize faces.
Examples in context
- 間もなく日没だ。The sunset is soon.This sentence shows how to state that the sunset is approaching.Tatoeba #553916 by Namikaze, translation #558998 by djinni74
- 日没は５時ぐらいですよ。Sunset is round about five.This sentence is used to provide a specific approximate time for the sunset.Tatoeba #9286166 by small_snow, translation #10629863 by sundown
- 私達は美しい日没に見とれた。We admired the beautiful sunset.This sentence is useful for describing the experience of admiring a beautiful sunset.Tatoeba #151297 by bunbuku, translation #249320 by CK
- 夕日はとても美しいです。The sunset is very beautiful.
- 今日の夕焼けは素晴らしかった！Today's sunset was fantastic!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are planning a hike.
- 美咲 Misaki日没まであと二時間しかないよ。Nichibetsu made ato nijikan shika nai yo.There are only two hours left until sunset.
- 健太 Kenta急いで山を降りよう。Isoide yama o oriyou.Let's hurry and go down the mountain.
- 美咲 Misaki日没後はとても暗くなるからね。Nichibetsu-go wa totemo kuraku naru kara ne.It gets very dark after sunset, right?
- 健太 Kentaそうだね。急ごう。Sou da ne. Isogou.You're right. Let's hurry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sunset” translations and entries 日没, 日の入り, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
