Meaning and Usage
The word "夜" (よる) primarily means "evening" or "night." It refers to the time after sunset until before dawn. It is commonly used in daily conversation to talk about activities or conditions during nighttime.
Common Contexts
"夜" is often used when describing the atmosphere, time for rest, or events happening after dark. For example, you might say "夜は涼しい" (The night is cool) or "夜遅くまで" (until late at night).
Collocations and Patterns
- 夜になると: "when it becomes night" — used to describe changes or events that happen as night falls.
- 夜遅くまで: "until late at night" — used to express doing something late into the night.
- 夜は: "at night" — used to describe general conditions or habitual actions during the night.
Register and Nuance
"夜" is neutral and appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. It is a basic noun and appears frequently in everyday speech and writing.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "夜" (よる) with "晩" (ばん), which also means "evening" but often refers more specifically to the time around dinner or early night. Use "夜" for the broader nighttime period.