日の入り

ひのいり

sunset

JLPT N2

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"日の入り" (ひのいり) specifically refers to the time when the sun sets below the horizon. It is a common noun used in everyday conversation, weather reports, and nature descriptions.

Common Contexts

People often talk about "日の入り" when planning outdoor activities, such as going to the beach or hiking, to enjoy the beautiful colors of the sky. It is also used in poetic or romantic contexts to describe the atmosphere.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 日の入りの時間 (time of sunset): Used when specifying or asking about the exact time the sun sets.
  • 日の入りがきれい (the sunset is beautiful): A common phrase to describe the visual appeal of the sunset.
  • 日の入り後 (after sunset): Refers to the period immediately following sunset, often implying the onset of darkness.

Register and Nuance

"日の入り" is neutral and polite enough for both casual and formal contexts. It is more specific than the general word "夕方" (evening) because it pinpoints the exact event of the sun setting.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "日の入り" with "日没" (にちぼつ), which also means sunset but is more formal and often used in scientific or official contexts. "日の入り" is more common in daily conversation.

Example Sentences

きょうはひのいりがとてもきれいでした。

Today's sunset was very beautiful.

ひのいりのじかんにあわせてかいがんへいきました。

I went to the beach timed with the sunset.

ひのいりごはきゅうにくらくなるのでちゅういしてください。

Please be careful because it gets dark quickly after sunset.