Translation guide
In Japanese, 'nightfall' is most commonly expressed with the noun 日暮れ (higure), which refers to dusk or the time when the sun sets. Other expressions like 夕暮れ (yuugure) and 宵の口 (yoi no kuchi) are also used, depending on the nuance of early evening versus the onset of night.
Referring to the period when daylight fades and night begins, often used in everyday conversation and writing.
The most direct and common translation for 'nightfall'. It refers to dusk or sunset, the time when it gets dark. Suitable for both spoken and written Japanese.
日暮れが近づいてきた。
Nightfall is approaching.
日暮れまでに帰ろう。
Let's go home before nightfall.
Refers to twilight or dusk, often with a poetic or slightly literary nuance. It emphasizes the beauty of the evening sky. Common in both speech and writing.
夕暮れの空が美しい。
The sky at nightfall is beautiful.
Literally 'the mouth of evening', this is a somewhat literary or old-fashioned term for early nightfall or the beginning of night. It is less common in daily conversation.
宵の口に家を出た。
I left the house at nightfall.
Focusing on the moment it gets dark, often used in descriptive or narrative contexts.
A natural phrase meaning 'around the time it gets dark'. It is a very common way to express the concept of nightfall in everyday speech.
暗くなる頃に雨が降り出した。
It started raining around nightfall.
A verb phrase meaning 'the sun sets' or 'it gets dark'. It is a very common and natural way to describe nightfall.
日が暮れるのが早くなった。
Nightfall comes earlier now.
日が暮れてから出かけた。
I went out after nightfall.
A poetic expression meaning 'the curtain of night falls'. It is used in literary or dramatic contexts.
夜のとばりが下りると、街は静かになった。
When nightfall came, the town grew quiet.
日暮れ (higure) simply means dusk or nightfall, focusing on the time when it gets dark. 夕暮れ (yuugure) often carries a more aesthetic or emotional nuance, referring to the twilight scenery. In daily conversation, 日暮れ is more neutral and common.
Instead of a noun, Japanese often uses verb phrases like 日が暮れる (hi ga kureru) or 暗くなる (kuraku naru) to describe the onset of night. These are very natural and frequently used.
日暮れまでに村に着いた。
We arrived at the village by nightfall.
山では日が暮れるのが早い。
Nightfall in the mountains comes quickly.