晩(ばん)

ばん
noun
evening, night
1. evening, night
The later part of the day, typically from after work/school until bedtime.
晩(ばん)ごはんは何(なに)ですか？
What's for dinner?
晩ごはん = dinner
毎晩(まいばん)本(ほん)を読(よ)みます。
I read a book every evening.
毎晩 = every evening/night
今晩(こんばん)、映画(えいが)を見(み)ませんか？
Would you like to watch a movie tonight?
今晩 = tonight
昨晩(さくばん)は雨(あめ)が降(ふ)っていました。
It was raining last night.
昨晩 = last night
晩(ばん)になると涼(すず)しくなるので、窓(まど)を開(あ)けて寝(ね)ています。
It gets cooler in the evening, so I sleep with the window open.

晩(ばん) refers to the evening or night, often emphasizing the social time after work or school.

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 晩(ばん)ごはん/夕飯(ゆうはん): dinner
  • 今晩(こんばん): tonight, this evening
  • 毎晩(まいばん): every evening/night
  • 昨晩(さくばん): last night
  • 一晩(ひとばん): one night, overnight

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 晩(ばん)になる: to become evening
  • 一晩中(ひとばんじゅう): all night long
  • 晩年(ばんねん): one's later years

DISTINCTION FROM 夜(よる):

  • 晩(ばん): emphasizes the social evening period (dinner time, evening activities)
  • 夜(よる): broader term for night, can include late night

Both can often be used interchangeably, but 晩(ばん) appears more in compounds related to daily activities.

Related Words

See also: 夜(よる)
basic
Added 2026.1.7 23:27 · Revised 2026.2.12 8:12
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