Translation and Meaning of: 更ける - fukeru

The word 「更ける」 (fukeru) is a Japanese verb that has meanings related to the passage of time. Etymologically, 「更ける」 is composed of the kanji 「更」, which suggests ideas of change, renewal, or transformation, as well as the potential to symbolize the beginning of a new daily cycle. This kanji, by itself, emphasizes the constant continuity and transformation of time and the world around us. The exposure of this word immediately evokes the idea of deepening night, that is, the progression or advancement of something, more commonly the night or the hours.

In practice, 「更ける」 is often used to describe the night progressing, such as when one says that the night is deepening or becoming later. Its use gains importance in contexts where it is intended to highlight that time is running out, a moment is reaching its end, or darkness is deepening. The word is widely used in poetic or literary descriptions to evoke the feeling of time advancing quietly.

The origin of 「更ける」 leads us to traditional Japanese stories and routines, where the rhythm of life was guided by nature and the natural passage of time. For many, this word evokes a period when, after daytime activities, candlelit conversations or the quietness of nighttime reading marked the end of the day. Notably, this word, although centered on the passage of night, evokes universal feelings of transformation and conclusion, being particularly strong in Japanese culture due to its connection with the attentive observation of nature and time.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 暮れる (kureru) - darken; reach the end of the day
• 終わる (owaru) - finish; end
• 終日する (shuuji-suru) - spend the whole day; during the day
• 日が暮れる (hi ga kureru) - the sun sets; to get dark
• 夕方になる (yuugata ni naru) - to become late; to arrive late
• 夜になる (yoru ni naru) - to become night; to arrive at night
• 夜更かしする (yofukashi suru) - stay up late; not sleep
• 夜更ける (yofukeru) - arrive very late; get into the early hours
• 夜更けになる (yofuke ni naru) - becoming really late; arriving at dawn
• 夜更け時に (yofuke toki ni) - in the late night; during the early morning
• 夜更け頃に (yofuke goro ni) - around late evening; around dawn
• 夜更け過ぎに (yofuke sugi ni) - after late night; right after dawn
• 夜更け過ぎる (yofuke sugiru) - spend the late night; move into the early morning
• 夜更け過ごす (yofuke sugosu) - to stay up all night; to spend the night awake
• 夜更けまで (yofuke made) - until late at night; until dawn
• 夜更けまで働く (yofuke made hataraku) - work late at night; work during the early morning
• 夜更けまで起きている (yofuke made okiteiru) - stay up late at night; remain awake until dawn
• 夜更けまで遊ぶ (yofuke made asobu) - play until late at night; have fun until dawn
• 夜更けまで勉強する (yofuke made benkyou suru) - study late into the night; study during the early morning
• 夜更けまで仕事する (yofuke made shigoto suru) - work late at night; work during the early morning
• 夜更けまで話し合う (yofuke made hanashiau) - discuss until late at night; talk until dawn
• 夜更けまで続く (yofuke made tsuzuku) - continue until late at night; last until dawn

更ける

Romaji: fukeru
Kana: ふける
Type: Verb
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: to be late; advance; wear

Meaning in English: to get late;to advance;to wear on

Definition: What is on top comes down. Time passes and it's already late at night.

Example Sentences - (更ける) fukeru

See below some example sentences:

夜が更ける前に帰りたいです。

Yoru ga fukeru mae ni kaeritai desu

I want to get home before the night gets late.

I want to go home before night falls.

• 夜が更ける - night falling
• 前に - before
• 帰りたい - I want to go back
• です - is