bun3 je6半夜
Jyutpingbun3 je6
Yalebun yeh
Definition
Midnight, or the late-night period between midnight and dawn.
colloquialtime
How it's used
Refers specifically to the quiet, dark hours when most people are asleep, often carrying a slightly negative or weary connotation. It is frequently used in the emphatic phrase 半夜三更 to stress just how late or unreasonable the hour is. Unlike the more clinical term 凌晨, which is often used in news or formal timekeeping, this word feels more personal and grounded in daily life.
Examples
He always gets home in the middle of the night.
Are you hungry and want a midnight snack in the middle of the night?
Related words
Common phrases
the dead of night
to wake up in the middle of the night
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the general concept of late night, as it specifically implies the deep, dark hours of the night rather than just the evening. Using it to describe 10 or 11 PM might sound like an exaggeration to a native speaker.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
