noun HSK 5
setting sun · sunset
Meaning
落日 refers to the sun as it descends below the horizon at the end of the day. It emphasizes the sun itself as it sets, rather than just the time period. The word carries poetic and literary connotations and often appears in descriptive or aesthetic contexts.
Usage
落日 is more formal and literary than the everyday 日落. It's commonly used in poetry, literature, and scenic descriptions. Native speakers often use it when describing beautiful sunset scenes or in artistic contexts. In casual conversation, people typically say 日落 or 太阳下山了 instead.
Examples
- 01他们坐在海边看着落日慢慢消失在地平线上。.They sat by the seaside watching the setting sun slowly disappear below the horizon.
- 02落日的余晖把整个天空染成了金黄色。.The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the entire sky golden.
Characters
Common collocations
- 落日余晖afterglow of the setting sun
- 落日西沉the setting sun sinks in the west
- 看落日to watch the sunset
Antonyms
Origin
Combines 落 (to fall/descend) with 日 (sun), literally meaning 'falling sun'. This compound has been used in Classical Chinese poetry for centuries to evoke the beauty and melancholy of day's end.