Translation guide
The middle of the night, specifically 12 o'clock at night. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed as 真夜中 (まよなか) or 深夜 (しんや). There are also specific terms for the exact moment of midnight (0時, 正子) and poetic or literary expressions.
midnight (general)
midnight (exact time)
Referring to the period around 12 AM, the darkest hours, or late night in general.
The most common and neutral word for 'midnight', referring to the middle of the night. It can be used in everyday conversation.
The phone rang at midnight.
I stayed up until midnight.
Often translated as 'late night' or 'midnight', but technically refers to the late-night hours (typically after 11 PM or midnight). Common in formal contexts, schedules, and media.
Means 'middle of the night' or 'during the night'. Less specific than 真夜中, can refer to any time when most people are asleep.
Referring to the precise moment when the clock strikes 12 AM.
Literally '12 AM'. The standard way to express the exact time of midnight in schedules and everyday life.
Fireworks went off exactly at midnight.
There is a meeting at midnight tonight.
A formal, somewhat archaic term for exactly midnight. Rarely used in conversation, but may appear in literature or traditional contexts.
Expressing 'midnight' in a more evocative, literary, or traditional way.
真夜中 (まよなか) is the most direct translation of 'midnight' and refers to the middle of the night. 深夜 (しんや) is more like 'late night' and is often used in formal contexts (e.g., 深夜料金 late-night charge). 深夜 can also mean the period after midnight, while 真夜中 is specifically around 12 AM.
I woke up at 2 in the middle of the night.
I woke up at 2 AM (late night).
The English loanword ミッドナイト is not commonly used in Japanese. It may appear in product names or as a stylistic choice, but it sounds unnatural in normal speech. Use 真夜中 or 深夜 instead.
I'll be home by midnight.
The party went on until midnight.
Midnight is the best time to see the stars.
深夜バスは深夜1時に出発します。
The late-night bus departs at 1 AM.
I worked until late at night.
夜中に目が覚めた。
I woke up in the middle of the night.
正子を過ぎると日付が変わる。
The date changes after midnight.