1.
late-night snack; midnight meal
A meal or snack eaten late at night, typically after dinner. Often refers to food eaten while studying or working late.
夜食にラーメンを食べた。
I ate ramen as a late-night snack.
試験前は毎晩夜食を食べていた。
I ate a midnight snack every night before exams.
夜食ばかり食べていると太るので気をつけている。
I'm being careful because eating late-night snacks all the time makes you gain weight.
USAGE:
Refers specifically to food eaten late at night, not simply a late dinner. Common among students studying for exams and people working late. Often associated with simple, quick foods like instant ramen or rice balls.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 夜食を食べる (to eat a late-night snack)
- 夜食に〜を作る (to make ~ as a midnight snack)
- 夜食代わり (as a substitute for a midnight snack)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 夜ごはん: dinner, evening meal — the main evening meal, not a late-night snack
- おやつ: snack — a daytime snack, not specifically late at night