斜陽(しゃよう)

しゃよう
noun
setting sun, decline, waning
1. setting sun, declining sun
The sun as it sets in the west, casting long shadows.
斜陽(しゃよう)が窓(まど)から差(さ)し込(こ)んだ。
The setting sun shone through the window.
斜陽(しゃよう)に染(そ)まる町並(まちな)みが美(うつく)しかった。
The townscape bathed in the setting sun was beautiful.
西(にし)の空(そら)に斜陽(しゃよう)が沈(しず)んでいった。
The setting sun sank into the western sky.
2. decline, waning
A state of declining prosperity, power, or relevance, often used to describe industries, families, or eras.
斜陽(しゃよう)産業(さんぎょう)と呼(よ)ばれている。
It's called a declining industry.
名門(めいもん)の斜陽(しゃよう)を描(えが)いた小説(しょうせつ)だ。
It's a novel depicting the decline of a distinguished family.
かつての栄光(えいこう)も今(いま)は斜陽(しゃよう)の時(とき)を迎(むか)えている。
The former glory has now entered a period of decline.

A literary word evocative of decline. Made famous by Dazai Osamu's novel『斜陽(しゃよう)』(The Setting Sun, 1947), which depicts the decline of an aristocratic family after World War II.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 斜陽(しゃよう)産業(さんぎょう) (declining industry)
  • 斜陽(しゃよう)族(ぞく) (declining aristocracy)
  • 斜陽(しゃよう)の時代(じだい) (era of decline)

CULTURAL NOTE:
The term 斜陽(しゃよう)族(ぞく) was coined after Dazai's novel to describe aristocratic families who lost their status and wealth after the war.

RELATED TERMS:

  • 夕陽(ゆうひ): evening sun, sunset
  • 凋落(ちょうらく): decline, fall
  • 衰退(すいたい): decline, decay
general
Added 2026.2.4 15:17
09500/09923_shayou