Japanese word

更ける

Pronunciation

Romajifukeru

Meaning

  • verbget late

Example

夜が更けますが、まだ勉強します。yoru ga fu ke ma su ga ma da ben kyō shi ma su

It gets late, but I still study.

Illustration for 更ける (get late)

More examples

夜が更けると、窓の外の明かりが少なくなります。yoru ga fu ke ru to mado no soto no a ka ri ga suku na ku na ri ma su

When the night grows late, there are fewer lights outside the window.

Core concept

Describes time moving forward until it reaches a later stage, especially as the night deepens.

Common phrases

  • 夜が更けたyoru ga fu ke ta

    The night grew late

Similar words

深まるfukamaru: To become deeper or more advanced as time passes, especially when describing the night.
遅れるokureru: To happen or arrive later than the expected time.

Definition in Japanese

夜や時間が進み、遅い時刻になる。yoru ya ji kan ga susu mi oso i ji koku ni na ru

Word origin

更ける (fukeru) is a native Japanese verb related to 更く (fuku), an older verb meaning "to grow late" or "to deepen," and it describes night or time advancing.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 更ける (fukeru) commonly describes the night becoming late, while 遅れる (okureru) describes a person or event being late.

Other meanings

  • advanceverb
  • wear onverb

Opposites

  • 明けるakeruget lightverb

Word lists with this word