1.
dawn, daybreak
The time when night ends and day begins; the break of day.
2.
end of a period, beginning of a new era
The point at which a period or season ends and transitions into the next phase. Used for the end of the rainy season, the new year, and similar transitions.
Usage
The noun form of the verb 明ける (to dawn, to open). In sense 1, most commonly appears in the compound 夜明け (dawn, daybreak). In sense 2, it forms many useful compounds:
- 梅雨明け: end of the rainy season
- 年明け: the new year, after the new year
- 連休明け: after a long holiday
- 正月明け: after New Year's
- 夏休み明け: after summer vacation
The sense 2 pattern 〜明け is very productive and means "right after the end of ~."
Common collocations
Related Words
Antonym:
暮れ (end of year)