Translation guide
The time in the morning when light first appears in the sky. Japanese has several words for this, ranging from everyday to poetic.
The time when the sun comes up or light first appears.
The most common and neutral word for dawn or daybreak. Used in everyday conversation and writing.
夜明け前に出発しよう。
Let's leave before daybreak.
夜明けの空が美しい。
The sky at daybreak is beautiful.
Refers to the period around dawn, often used in weather forecasts or slightly more formal contexts.
明け方には雨が上がるでしょう。
The rain will likely stop around daybreak.
A literary or poetic word for dawn, often used in classical contexts or set phrases.
暁の空に星が消えた。
The stars faded in the daybreak sky.
Specifically the moment the sun rises above the horizon.
Literally 'sunrise'. Used for the exact time or event, like in weather reports or travel.
明日の日の出は5時42分です。
Tomorrow's sunrise is at 5:42.
山頂で日の出を見た。
We watched the sunrise from the mountaintop.
The very first light before sunrise, often with a poetic feel.
An archaic, highly poetic word for the first light of dawn. Rarely used in modern speech.
東雲の光が差し込む。
The light of daybreak streams in.
A classical, elegant word for the faint light of dawn. Often used in poetry or traditional contexts.
夜明け (yoake) is the general concept of dawn. 明け方 (akegata) is the time period around dawn, often used in forecasts. 日の出 (hinode) is the specific moment of sunrise.
夜明けが近い。
Daybreak is near.
明け方に地震があった。
There was an earthquake around dawn.
日の出の写真を撮った。
I took a photo of the sunrise.
夜明け is safe for most situations. It can be used metaphorically as well, like 'the dawn of a new era' (新時代の夜明け).
夜明けまでに村に着いた。
We arrived at the village by daybreak.
鳥は夜明けにさえずり始める。
The birds start singing at daybreak.
曙の空がほのかに赤い。
The daybreak sky is faintly red.