Translation guide
The natural light of the sun during the day. This guide covers how to express 'daylight' in Japanese, from the physical light itself to idiomatic uses like 'in broad daylight'.
Referring to the natural light from the sun during daytime hours.
The most direct and common word for 'sunlight' or 'daylight'. Used in both everyday and technical contexts.
Daylight is streaming into the room.
This plant likes daylight.
Refers to the rays of the sun, often emphasizing the warmth or brightness. More poetic or sensory than 日光.
The spring daylight feels pleasant.
Technical term for 'daylight', often used in lighting or color temperature contexts (e.g., 'daylight bulbs').
I bought a daylight fluorescent light.
Referring to the time between sunrise and sunset when it is light outside.
The most common word for 'daytime' or 'during the day'. Often used in weather forecasts or schedules.
It will be sunny during the daylight hours.
I'll go shopping in the daylight.
Also means 'daytime', but slightly more casual and often contrasts with 'nighttime' (夜間).
Literary or formal word for 'broad daylight'. Often used in the phrase 白昼の (in broad daylight).
Emphasizing that something happens openly during the day, often with a sense of audacity.
The standard phrase for 'in broad daylight' with the nuance of doing something openly and shamelessly.
The criminal broke into the bank in broad daylight.
Colloquial expression meaning 'in broad daylight' or 'in the middle of the day', often with a tone of surprise or disapproval.
Drinking alcohol in broad daylight, really?
The practice of advancing clocks during summer months.
日光 is the general term for sunlight/daylight. 日差し emphasizes the rays and warmth, often used in poetic or sensory descriptions. 太陽光 (たいようこう) is more technical, used for solar power or scientific contexts.
While 日の光 (ひのひかり) is grammatically correct, it sounds poetic or archaic. Stick to 日光 for most uses.
昼間は暖かかった。
It was warm during the daylight.
白昼の強盗事件。
A robbery in broad daylight.
There is no daylight saving time in Japan.