Translation guide
The period of the day from late afternoon to night. In Japanese, the word used depends on the specific time and context.
Referring to the time of day after sunset or late afternoon, in a general sense.
The most common word for 'evening', typically from around sunset to early night. Used in everyday conversation.
夕方に散歩しましょう。
Let's take a walk in the evening.
夕方から雨が降り始めた。
It started raining in the evening.
Refers to evening or night, often used in set phrases or when talking about evening activities. Slightly broader than 夕方.
Means 'night', but can overlap with 'evening' in English. Use when the evening is dark or late.
The time just after sunset, when it's getting dark.
Referring to the evening of the current day.
Referring to evening events, parties, or scheduled activities.
Used in compound words for evening events, like 夜会 (evening party) or 夜間 (nighttime).
The greeting used when meeting someone in the evening.
夕方 (ゆうがた) is the early evening around sunset. 晩 (ばん) is evening in a broader sense, often used in compounds like 今晩 (こんばん, this evening). 夜 (よる) is night, but can be used for late evening. Use 夕方 for the time between afternoon and night, 晩 for evening activities, and 夜 when it's dark.
The loanword イブニング (evening) exists but is mainly used in fashion or event names (e.g., イブニングドレス). It is not used for the time of day.
What are you doing this evening?
晩ご飯を食べましょう。
Let's eat dinner (evening meal).
The city is beautiful in the evening/night.
Refers specifically to dusk or twilight, the time when the sun has set but it's not completely dark. Often used in poetic or descriptive contexts.
夕暮れがきれいですね。
The dusk is beautiful, isn't it?
A more literary or poetic word for twilight or dusk. Can also metaphorically refer to the decline of something.
黄昏の空が赤く染まった。
The twilight sky turned red.
Means 'this evening' or 'tonight'. Commonly used in greetings and plans.
今晩は。
Good evening.
今晩、映画を見ませんか。
Would you like to watch a movie this evening?
Also means 'this evening' or 'tonight', but often implies later in the evening or night compared to 今晩.
今夜は星がきれいです。
The stars are beautiful tonight.
今夜、夜会があります。
There is an evening party tonight.
A formal or literary pattern meaning 'an evening of...', used for events like concerts or gatherings.
音楽の夕べに参加しませんか。
Would you like to attend an evening of music?
The standard greeting for 'good evening'. Note the particle は is pronounced 'wa'.
こんばんは、お元気ですか。
Good evening, how are you?