正午 vs. 夕方 vs. 深夜: How Do Native Speakers Use These?
Did you remember that we separate the time either 午前 (a.m.) and 午後 (p.m.) the previous lesson? We can separate the time not only 午前 (a.m.) and 午後 (p.m.), but it is also 正午, 夕方 and 深夜 and native speakers quite often use them. Let me introduce how to correctly use them today!
正午
Noon / 12:00 p.m. / Midday
“正午” means “Noon, 12:00 p.m. and Midday”, and “正午” could be also called “午後0時” or “午前12時(noon)”, however, native speakers don’t usually use these because they are quite complicated. So that’s why we use “正午” or “(お)昼の12時” instead of “午後0時” and “午前12時“. Furthermore, basically, boys, girls and some women use “お昼の12時” and men use “昼の12時” in daily conversations as casual which mean “お昼” sounds a little bit prettier than “昼“. Additionally, using “正午” is a little bit formal than using “(お)昼の12時“, even they are the same meaning. Lastly, everybody could use “(お)昼の12時” as casual and “正午” is used in business situations. For your information, 1 p.m is “(お)昼の1時” as casual or “午後1時” as formal. However, “正午” and “午後1時” are not that formal though.
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夕方
Early evening (Around 4 to 6 p.m.)
“夕方” means “Early evening” and the time is around 4 to 6 p.m. “夕方” which wouldn’t be “お夕方” such as “お昼“. “夕方” has been used just “夕方___時” or “夕方の___時” if you want to tell the specific time to someone. For example, “夕方(の)4時(4 o’clock in the evening)”, “夕方(の)5時(5 o’clock in the evening)”, “夕方(の)6時頃(around 6 o’clock in the evening)”. Furthermore, after 6 p.m., native speakers use “夜___時” or “夜の___時” such as “夜(の)7時(7 o’clock at night)”, “夜(の)9時半(9:30 at night)”, “夜(の)11時(11 o’clock at night)”. After 11 or 12 at night, I mentioned that blow. When putting “の” such as “夕方の” and “夜の”, they sound a little bit milder than just “夕方___時” and “夜___時“. They are used in daily conversations as casual and business situations as well.
深夜
Midnight / 12:00 a.m. / Twelve o’clock at night / (Around 12 to 3 a.m.)
“深夜” means “Midnight, 12:00 a.m. and twelve o’clock at night”. Time-wise, around 12 a.m. to 3 a.m. and native speakers use “深夜___時” or “夜中(の)___時” such as “深夜0時(twelve o’clock at night)”, “夜中(の)2時(two in the morning)”, etc. Using “深夜____時” is a little bit formal than using “夜中(の)___時“. Just a little bit though. When putting “の” such as “夜中の___時“, it sounds a little bit milder than just “夜中___時“.
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