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(ばん)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(まいばん) = 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(こんばん) = 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(さくばん) = 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 2026.5.12 7:12

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