1.
sunset; sundown
The time when the sun goes below the horizon in the evening. Also refers to the phenomenon itself.
Literally 'the sun's entering' (日 sun + の possessive + 入り entering). Describes the sun setting below the horizon.
Common collocations
Similar words
- 夕日: the evening sun, setting sun — refers more to the visual appearance of the sun as it sets, often with poetic or aesthetic overtones
- 日没: sunset — a more formal, technical term used in weather reports and astronomy
- 日の出: sunrise — the counterpart, referring to the sun rising in the morning
Seasonal note
Sunset times vary significantly by season in Japan. In winter, sunset can be as early as 4:30 PM, while in summer it can be past 7:00 PM. Weather forecasts and news commonly report 日の出 and 日の入り times.
Related Words
Antonym:
日の出 (sunrise)
Compare:
夕日 (the evening sun, setting sun)
Compare:
日没 (sunset)