Word
夕方
Meaning in Englishlate afternoon, early evening
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Word context
What it means
夕方 means the period of the day from late afternoon to early evening, when daylight fades and the sky can take on a dusky hue; commonly used in everyday speech and schedules.
Main meanings
- Typical time window: late afternoon to early evening, before night
- Casual speech and scheduling contexts
- Can imply around sunset in phrases like 夕方頃
How to use it
Used to reference the late-afternoon to early-evening period in formal and informal contexts; common in schedules, weather reports, media, and casual conversation; not used for late night.
Variants and close terms
- 夕刻 — ゆうこく — (yūkoku)
- 黄昏時 — たそがれどき — (tasogare-doki)
- 夕ごろ — ゆうごろ — (yūgoro)
Composition
- 夕: evening; dusk
- 方: direction/side; in time-related compounds, marks a portion or period
Etymology
Native compound formed from 夕 (evening) and 方 (direction/side); the pronunciation ゆうがた (yūgata) reflects a natural kun-reading combination, with the long vowel realized in modern Japanese as yūgata.
Word class
Noun (名詞)
Word
Related words by kanji and components
N2
方程式
houteishiki
equation
N2
方面
houmen
direction; area
N2
夕刊
yuukan
evening paper
N2
夕立
yuudachi
(sudden) evening shower (rain)
N2
夕日
yuuhi
(in) the evening sun, setting sun
N2
行方
yukue
one's whereabouts
N3
一方
ippou
on the other hand, meanwhile, one side
N3
方々
katagata
people, persons, everyone
N3
味方
mikata
ally, supporter, one on your side
Kanji