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半宵 (はんしょう, hanshou) Japanese meaning: midnight | Kotomora

半はん宵しょう

Meanings

1

Literary or poetic term for midnight. In modern Japanese, 真夜中 (まよなか) is the usual word.

半はん宵しょうの鐘かねが静しずかに鳴なり響ひびいた。
The midnight bell tolled quietly.

Kanji

半half, middle, odd number
宵wee hours, evening, early night

Related words

真ま夜よ中なか
Standard, everyday word for midnight. 半宵 is a rare literary alternative.

Etymology

Compound of 半 (half) and 宵 (early evening, nightfall), literally 'half-night', referring to the middle of the night. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.