Looking up...
午夜时分
wǔyè shífēn
What does "午夜时分" mean in English?
midnight他通常在午夜时分写作。
He usually writes at midnight.
How to use "午夜时分" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
formal
The exact time of midnight; the middle of the night.
午夜时分，城市陷入了寂静。
At midnight, the city fell into silence.
午夜时分的星空格外璀璨。
The starry sky at midnight was exceptionally brilliant.
Used to describe the precise moment of 12:00 AM, often in literary or descriptive contexts.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Literal vs. Figurative Use
While '午夜时分' literally means 'the moment of midnight,' it is often used metaphorically to describe a quiet, introspective, or eerie atmosphere, even if the time is not exactly 12:00 AM.
Gold Rule
Precision in Time
Use '午夜时分' to emphasize the exact time of midnight, especially in descriptive or literary contexts. For general late-night references, '半夜' or '深夜' are more common.
Word Origin
Composed of '午夜' (wǔyè, 'noon' + 'night' → 'midnight') and '时分' (shífēn, 'time' + 'minute' → 'moment'). The phrase emphasizes the exact time of midnight.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in formal writing, literature, or poetic descriptions to specify the exact time. Avoid using in casual conversation where '半夜' (late night) or '晚上12点' (12:00 PM) may suffice.
Word Breakdown
午
noon
root夜
night
root时分
moment
phrase汉英词典