太陽

• Reading: たいよう
• Romaji: taiyou
• Kanji breakdown: 太 (tai/futo) — great, thick, big; 陽 (you/hi) — sun, positive, yang
• Pronunciation: /ta.i.joː/

Meaning

Sun. The star at the centre of the solar system, source of light and warmth.

A noun referring to the Sun. While 日 (hi/nichi) is used more casually and in everyday expressions like 日曜日 (Sunday), 太陽 specifically refers to the celestial body. Japan is known as the land of the rising sun, reflected in its name 日本.

Examples

1. 太陽が出て暖かくなりました。 The sun came out and it got warm.
2. 夏は太陽がとても強いです。 The sun is very strong in summer.
3. 太陽が山の後ろに沈みました。 The sun set behind the mountain.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, weather, science

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 太 (great/thick) and 陽 (sun/positive), meaning the great sun or great yang. The concept connects to Chinese yin-yang philosophy.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal