1.
daytime, during the day
The period when the sun is up; the hours between morning and evening.
日中は暑いが、夜は涼しい。
It's hot during the day, but cool at night.
日中は仕事で忙しい。
I'm busy with work during the day.
日中の気温は30度を超えた。
The daytime temperature exceeded 30 degrees.
日中は外に出ないほうがいいと医者に言われた。
The doctor told me I shouldn't go outside during the day.
日中は子供を学校に送ってから買い物に行き、夕方まで家事をしている。
During the day, I drop the kids off at school, then go shopping, and do housework until the evening.
USAGE: 日中 refers to daytime hours. Note that with different kanji combinations, this reading can also mean Japan-China (日中関係 = Japan-China relations).
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 日中は (during the day)
- 日中の気温 (daytime temperature)
- 日中帯 (daytime hours, as a period)
CONTRAST:
- 日中 - daytime
- 夜間 - nighttime
- 昼間 - daytime (more colloquial)
- 昼 - noon, daytime
NOTE: Context is important to distinguish from 日中 meaning Japan-China. Weather and time contexts indicate 'daytime'; diplomatic contexts indicate 'Japan-China'.