お昼

おひる
Alternative writings: 御昼
JLPT:N3
Frequency:
1

Lunch; a polite term for the midday meal, usually eaten around noon.

NounPolite (Teineigo) Language

Examples

毎日お昼に弁当を食べます。

I eat a bento for lunch every day.

今日はお昼を外で食べましょう。

Let's eat lunch outside today.

お昼休みに図書館で勉強した。

I studied in the library during the lunch break.

2

Noon; midday. A polite way to refer to the middle of the day.

NounPolite (Teineigo) Language

Examples

時計を見るとお昼の12時だった。

When I looked at the clock, it was noon (12:00).

夏はお昼の陽ざしが強い。

In summer the midday sun is strong.

会議はお昼に終了した。

The meeting ended at midday.

3

Daytime; during the day. A polite expression referring to things occurring in daylight hours.

NounPolite (Teineigo) Language

Examples

お昼は犬の散歩をします。

I walk the dog during the daytime.

このサービスはお昼の時間帯によく利用される。

This service is often used during the daytime/lunch hours.

お昼の間は窓を開けて換気してください。

Please ventilate by opening the windows during the day.

4

Waking up; getting up — an honorific/old-fashioned expression. Rarely used in modern Japanese.

NounHonorific or Respectful (Sonkeigo) Language

Examples

古い日記に『殿はお昼になり給うた』と記されていた。

An old diary recorded, 'The lord has risen (woken).' (archaic/honorific usage)

この用法は文語や古典文学で見られ、お年寄りや身分の高い人への尊敬表現として使われた。

This usage appears in classical/written language and was used as an honorific for elders or high-status people.

Word Relationships

Antonym