1.
early afternoon; after midday
The time shortly after noon, roughly 1:00–3:00 PM. Often evokes a languid, peaceful atmosphere.
昼下がりの公園を散歩した。
I took a walk in the park in the early afternoon.
昼下がりのカフェで本を読んだ。
I read a book at a café in the early afternoon.
暑い昼下がりに猫が木陰で気持ちよさそうに眠っていた。
On a hot early afternoon, a cat was sleeping contentedly in the shade of a tree.
USAGE:
昼下がり refers to the time just past noon and is often used in literary or descriptive contexts to evoke a relaxed, drowsy atmosphere. It typically modifies a noun with の.
WORD FORMATION:
昼 (midday) + 下がり (past, after). Compare 午後 (afternoon), which is more neutral and precise.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 昼下がりの公園: an early-afternoon park
- 昼下がりの街: the town in early afternoon
- 暑い昼下がり: a hot early afternoon