Translation guide
The English word 'night' refers to the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 夜 (よる), but there are other words and expressions depending on context, such as 晩 (ばん) for evening/night, and 夜中 (よなか) for the middle of the night. This guide covers how to express 'night' naturally in various situations.
Referring to night as a time of day, in general statements or descriptions.
The most common and neutral word for 'night'. Used in everyday conversation and writing.
夜は星がきれいです。
The stars are beautiful at night.
夜に散歩するのが好きです。
I like taking walks at night.
A more formal or technical term for 'nighttime', often used in official contexts like 'night shift' or 'nighttime hours'.
Referring to the period from late afternoon to bedtime, often overlapping with 'night' in English.
Often used for 'evening' or 'night' in phrases like 'tonight' (今晩) or 'last night' (昨晩). Slightly more formal than 夜 in some contexts.
Referring to the time when most people are asleep, after midnight.
Expressing that something continues for the entire night.
Saying 'good night' before going to bed or parting late at night.
夜 (よる) is the general word for 'night', while 晩 (ばん) often refers to the evening or early night. In time expressions like 'tonight' or 'last night', both can be used, but 晩 is slightly more formal. 今夜 (こんや) and 今晩 (こんばん) are both common for 'tonight', with 今晩 being a bit more polite.
夜中 (よなか) is the everyday word for 'middle of the night', while 深夜 (しんや) is formal and used in schedules or official contexts. Using 深夜 in casual conversation can sound stiff.
昨夜は眠れませんでした。
I couldn't sleep last night.
夜は寒くなります。
It gets cold at night.
彼は夜勤で働いています。
He works the night shift.
Nighttime construction is prohibited.
今晩は何をしますか。
What are you doing tonight?
昨晩はよく眠れましたか。
Did you sleep well last night?
Also used for 'tonight' (今夜) and 'last night' (昨夜), but 晩 is more common in those specific time expressions.
今夜は映画を見ましょう。
Let's watch a movie tonight.
Specifically means the middle of the night, late night hours. Commonly used for 'in the middle of the night'.
夜中に目が覚めた。
I woke up in the middle of the night.
夜中まで起きていた。
I stayed up until late at night.
Formal term for late night, often used in schedules (e.g., late-night TV, trains).
深夜バスは午前1時に出発します。
The late-night bus departs at 1 a.m.
Means 'all night long' or 'throughout the night'. Very common in everyday speech.
一晩中雨が降っていた。
It rained all night.
一晩中勉強した。
I studied all night.
Also means 'all night', but often implies doing something continuously without sleeping.
夜通し働いた。
I worked all night.
The standard polite way to say 'good night'. Can be shortened to おやすみ in casual situations.
おやすみなさい、また明日。
Good night, see you tomorrow.
Casual form of 'good night', used among friends and family.
おやすみ、いい夢見てね。
Good night, sweet dreams.