Translation guide
The star at the center of our solar system. In Japanese, the word 太陽 (taiyō) is the standard term, while 日 (hi) appears in compounds and poetic contexts. The sun is also a common topic in weather expressions and cultural references.
Referring to the sun as a celestial body, in scientific or everyday contexts.
The standard word for 'sun' in almost all contexts. Used in science, daily conversation, and writing.
太陽は東から昇る。
The sun rises in the east.
太陽の光がまぶしい。
The sunlight is dazzling.
Often used in compounds or literary contexts. Alone, it can mean 'sun' but is less common than 太陽 in modern prose.
日が沈む。
The sun sets.
Referring to the light and warmth from the sun, often in weather or atmospheric descriptions.
Sunlight or sunshine, often implying rays or warmth. Common in weather talk.
今日は日差しが強い。
The sun is strong today.
日差しを浴びる。
Bask in the sun.
Sunlight, often used in more formal or scientific contexts (e.g., 'sunlight exposure').
To be in the sun; to get sunlight. Very common in daily conversation.
この部屋はよく日が当たる。
This room gets a lot of sun.
Referring to the period of daylight, or the sun as a marker of time.
Daytime, during the day. Used in weather forecasts and schedules.
日中は暖かくなるでしょう。
It will be warm during the day.
Noon, midday, or daytime in general. Often used in compounds like 昼間 (hiruma, daytime).
Referring to the sun in cultural or symbolic contexts, such as the Japanese flag or national identity.
Used in compounds like 日本 (Nihon/Nippon, Japan) and 日の丸 (Hinomaru, the Japanese flag).
日本は「日出ずる国」とも呼ばれる。
Japan is also called 'the land of the rising sun'.
Referring to the sun in a mythological, poetic, or personified sense.
A warm, personified, or child-friendly term for the sun. Often used in stories or when speaking to children.
お日様が出てきたよ。
The sun has come out!
Archaic or dialectal term for the sun, sometimes used in folk tales or rural speech.
While 日 can mean 'sun', it is more often used in compounds or to mean 'day'. Using 太陽 is safer for the celestial body.
Common phrases: 日が照る (hi ga teru, the sun shines), 日が陰る (hi ga kageru, the sun goes behind clouds), 日が暮れる (hi ga kureru, the sun sets/darkness falls).
太陽を直接見てはいけません。
Don't look directly at the sun.
日光消毒をする。
Disinfect by sunlight.
The day when day and night are equal in length.
天道様が見ている。
The sun (god) is watching.