Translation guide
How to express 'late at night' in Japanese, from evening to the middle of the night.
late at night (adverbial)
Used as 'late at night' in a sentence.
Referring to the time when it is very late, typically after midnight or when most people are asleep.
The most common and neutral word for 'late at night', often used in formal and informal contexts. It refers to the hours after midnight until early morning.
I worked until late at night.
Convenience stores are quiet late at night.
Literally 'late at night', used as an adverbial phrase. More casual and descriptive than 深夜.
Please don't call late at night.
Refers to the middle of the night, often implying the time when people are usually asleep. Can be used for 'late at night' but emphasizes the depth of night.
Emphasizing the extreme lateness, often around 2-4 AM.
Literally 'midnight', but often used to mean the dead of night or very late at night. Stronger than 夜中.
I got home very late at night.
Archaic term for the hour of the ox (around 2-2:30 AM), associated with ghosts and the supernatural. Used in literature or dramatic contexts.
Describing things that happen or are available late at night, such as TV shows, trains, or shops.
Attach a noun to mean 'late-night ~'. Very productive pattern.
late-night TV show
late-night bus
深夜 is a noun and often used in compounds or formal contexts. 夜遅く is an adverbial phrase and feels more conversational. Use 深夜 for 'late-night' as a modifier (e.g., 深夜番組), and 夜遅く when describing the time of an action.
I study late at night. (neutral/formal)
I study late at night. (casual)
I often work late at night.
Don't stay up too late at night.
夜中に目が覚めた。
I woke up in the middle of the night.
I listened to ghost stories in the dead of night.
Specifically means 'open late at night' for businesses.
This shop is open late at night.