昼間

• Reading: ひるま
• Romaji: hiruma
• Kanji breakdown: 昼 (chū/hiru) — noon, daytime; 間 (kan/ma) — interval, between
• Pronunciation: /çi.ɾɯ.ma/

Meaning

Daytime; during the day. The period between morning and evening when it is light outside.

A noun and adverb referring to daylight hours. Contrasts with 夜 (yoru, night) and 夜中 (yonaka, middle of the night). Used when distinguishing day activities from night activities: 昼間は仕事をして、夜は勉強する (work during the day, study at night). More specific than 昼 (hiru), which can just mean noon or lunchtime.

Examples

1. 昼間は暑いけど、夜は涼しくなります。 It's hot during the day, but it cools down at night.
2. 昼間に電話したのですが留守でした。 I called during the day, but no one was home.
3. 猫は昼間よく寝ています。 Cats sleep a lot during the daytime.

Usage Guide

Context: daily schedule, weather, contrast with night

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Combines 昼 (hiru, noon/daytime) with 間 (ma, interval/between). 昼 depicts the sun at its highest point, and 間 adds the sense of a span of time — the interval of daylight.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal