夕|ゆうyuu[0]heiban (flat)

1. noun, adverbevening
   朝あさは４脚きゃく、昼ひるは２脚きゃく、そして夕ゆうは３脚きゃくで歩あるくものは何なんか。↗

   What goes on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?

• Synonym夕暮れゆうぐれNeutralThe evening as the sun sets and the sky darkens, with a lyrical feel; 「夕（ゆう）」 is mostly a prefix or written style, as in 「夕べ」「夕日」.
• Synonym日暮れひぐれNeutralThe time when the sun sets and darkness falls, as in 「日暮れが早い」; 「夕」 leans written and often appears as a prefix.
• Synonym夕刻ゆうこくWrittenWritten/formal prose, common in news and official documents, as in 「夕刻より」; 「夕」 is more elegant.
• Synonym黄昏たそがれNeutralDusk, also a metaphor for one's twilight years, as in 「人生の黄昏」; 「夕」 is more neutral.
• Synonym夕方ゆうがたNeutralThe everyday colloquial word for early evening; 「夕」 leans written and is mostly a prefix.
• Synonym晩ばんNeutralCovers the whole evening or night and can mean dinner; 「夕」 centers on the span from dusk to nightfall and leans written.
• SynonymイブニングNeutralA loanword for the evening, mostly in set phrases like 「イブニングドレス」; 「夕」 feels more traditional.
• Synonym薄暮はくぼWrittenWritten/formal prose for the dimming dusk, as in 「薄暮の街」; 「夕」 is more often a prefix, as in 「夕べ」.
• Synonym夕景ゆうけいWrittenWritten/formal prose for an evening scene or sunset glow, as in 「美しい夕景」; 「夕」 refers to the time of day itself.
• Synonym黄昏時たそがれどきWrittenThe hour of dusk, with a lyrical tone; 「夕」 is terser and written, mostly used as a prefix.
• Related日没にちぼつNeutralThe astronomical event of the sun setting, as in 「日没時刻」; 「夕」 refers to the time span of evening.
• Related日の入りひのいりNeutralA common colloquial word for sunset; 「夕」 refers to the evening period itself.
• Related火灯し頃ひともしごろWrittenAn old word for the hour when every household lit its lamps; rare today — say 「夕方」 instead.
• Related夕まぐれゆうまぐれWrittenA poetic word for twilight, found mainly in waka verse; 「夕」 is simpler and mostly a prefix.
• Related入相いりあいWrittenWritten/formal prose for sunset time, also the temple's evening bell; 「夕」 is more often used as a prefix.
• Related暮れ方くれがたNeutralThe time when darkness is about to fall, as in 「暮れ方に帰る」; 「夕」 leans written and is mostly a prefix.
• Related入り方いりがたWrittenWritten/formal prose for the moment the sun or moon sets; 「夕」 refers to the evening period itself.
• Related逢魔が時おうまがときWrittenAn old word for dusk, thought to be when yokai and accidents strike; 「夕」 is more neutral.
• Related夕闇ゆうやみNeutralThe darkness of evening itself, as in 「夕闇が迫る」; 「夕」 refers to the time of day.
• Related薄暮れうすぐれWrittenWritten/formal prose for the half-light of dusk; 「夕」 is terser and mostly a prefix.
• Related暮れ暮れくれぐれWrittenAn old word for nightfall gradually closing in; rare today — say 「夕暮れ」 instead.
• RelatedサンセットNeutralA loanword for sunset, common in ad and promotional copy; 「夕」 feels more traditional.
• Antonym朝あさNeutralThe antonym across the day: morning, standing opposite 「夕」.

「夕」 itself suits written prose or compounds as a prefix, as in 「夕べ」「朝な夕な」. In everyday speech say 「夕方」; for lyrical dusk pick 「夕暮れ」 or 「黄昏」; news and official writing prefer 「夕刻」; for the sun's setting as an event use 「日没」. The antonym is 「朝」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. （ゆう）日暮ひぐれから夜半やはんにかけて。ゆうべ。