日中

• Reading: にっちゅう
• Romaji: nicchuu
• Kanji breakdown: 日 (nichi) — day, sun; 中 (chuu) — middle, during
• Pronunciation: /ni.t͡ɕːɯː/

Meaning

During the day; daytime; in broad daylight. Refers to the hours when the sun is up.

A noun and adverb specifying the daytime hours, roughly from sunrise to sunset. Common patterns: 日中は暑い (it is hot during the day), 日中に (during the daytime). Note that 日中 can also mean 'Japan-China' (日中関係, Japan-China relations) depending on context, but when used as a time word it refers strictly to daytime.

Examples

1. 日中は暑いので外出を控えている。 It's hot during the day, so I'm staying indoors.
2. 彼は日中働いて夜は学校に通っている。 He works during the day and goes to school at night.
3. 日中でも薄暗い路地は少し怖い。 Alleys that are dim even in broad daylight are a little scary.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, schedule, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 日 (nichi, day/sun) and 中 (chuu, middle/during). Together, 'in the middle of the day' — the period when the sun is overhead.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal