Daytime vs. Day-time : Quelle est la différence ?
daytime c'est la période de jour elle-même ; day-time décrit quelque chose qui se passe pendant cette période.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
In modern English, 'daytime' is almost always written as one word without a hyphen.
- Use 'daytime' (one word) for the period of light between sunrise and sunset. Example: 'I love the daytime.'
- Avoid 'day-time' (hyphenated) as it is considered an outdated or archaic spelling in most modern dictionaries.
- Use 'daytime' as an adjective before nouns without adding a hyphen. Example: 'daytime television' is standard.
Overview
daytime et day-time en est un exemple parfait. Pour un apprenant francophone, cette différence peut sembler insignifiante au premier abord — après tout, il ne s'agit que d'un petit trait d'union. Pourtant, en grammaire anglaise, ce trait d'union (appelé hyphen) change radicalement la nature grammaticale du mot et sa fonction dans la phrase.Daytime (en un seul mot) est un nom. Il désigne la période de temps elle-même. C'est l'équivalent de notre concept de « la journée » ou « le jour » (par opposition à la nuit).day-time (avec un trait d'union) fonctionne comme un adjectif composé. Son rôle n'est pas de désigner le temps, mais de décrire un autre nom qui le suit immédiatement. C'est l'équivalent de nos adjectifs « diurne » ou de nos locutions « de jour ».compound words). L'anglais dispose de trois façons de combiner des mots : les composés ouverts (open compounds comme ice cream), les composés fermés (closed compounds comme notebook) et les composés à trait d'union (hyphenated compounds comme mother-in-law).daytime (Nom)daytime est ce qu'on appelle un closed compound. Les deux mots d'origine, day (jour) et time (temps), ont fusionné pour créer une nouvelle entité lexicale unique.- En français, nous dirions : « La journée est longue. »
- En anglais, on dira :
The daytime is long.
daytime est le sujet de la phrase. Il ne décrit rien d'autre qu'il ne s'auto-désigne. Il suit les règles classiques des noms : il peut être précédé d'un article (the, a), d'une préposition (in, during) ou d'un adjectif possessif (my, his).day-time (Adjectif composé)compound modifier ou attributive adjective.day et time travaillent ensemble pour décrire le mot suivant. Sans ce trait d'union, le lecteur pourrait être confus, se demandant si day qualifie time ou si les deux qualifient le nom suivant de manière indépendante.daytime | La journée / Le jour | I love the daytime. |day-time | De jour / Diurne | I have a day-time job. |daytime. Si tu peux le remplacer par « qui se passe le jour », c'est day-time (suivi d'un nom).daytime- Structure : [Article/Préposition] +
daytime - Place dans la phrase : Sujet ou Complément.
- Exemples :
During the daytime, the streets are crowded.(Pendant la journée...)The daytime lasts longer in summer.(La journée dure plus longtemps...)I prefer the daytime to the night.(Je préfère le jour à la nuit.)
day-time- Structure :
day-time+ [NOM] - Place dans la phrase : Toujours placé juste avant le nom qu'il qualifie.
- Exemples :
A day-time activity.(Une activité de jour.)Day-time television is often boring.(La télévision de journée...)We need a day-time contact number.(Un numéro de téléphone de jour/bureau.)
daytime job). Bien que cela devienne courant dans un anglais très informel, la règle académique et professionnelle (niveau B1/B2) exige le trait d'union pour éviter toute ambiguïté. Si tu écris un e-mail au bureau ou un rapport, utilise le trait d'union pour l'adjectif.daytime (le nom) quand :- Tu parles de la lumière naturelle : Si tu compares la luminosité ou la température entre le jour et la nuit.
The desert is hot in the daytime but freezing at night.- Tu parles d'une période de temps globale : Quand tu évoques la durée.
I sleep during the daytime because I work the night shift.- Tu l'utilises après une préposition : C'est le cas le plus fréquent pour les francophones.
In the daytime...(Pendant la journée...)At daytime...(Au grand jour...)
day-time (l'adjectif) quand :- Tu décris un emploi ou une occupation : Pour préciser quand l'action a lieu.
She is looking for a day-time position.(Elle cherche un poste de jour.)- Tu parles de tarifs ou de services : Très utile dans le voyage ou le commerce.
The day-time rates for the parking are higher.(Les tarifs de jour du parking sont plus élevés.)- Tu qualifies un événement social :
We are planning a day-time wedding reception.(Nous prévoyons une réception de mariage en journée.)
A day-time (period) job-> Fonctionne (donc adjectif).I like the daytime (period)-> Redondant (donc nom).
a day time flight.- L'erreur :
I booked a day time flight. - Pourquoi c'est une erreur : Sans le trait d'union,
dayettimesont deux mots séparés. Le lecteur pourrait lire « un vol de temps de jour », ce qui n'a pas de sens. - La correction :
I booked a day-time flight.
- L'erreur :
I will call you during the day-time. - Pourquoi c'est une erreur : Ici, tu n'as pas de nom après pour être qualifié. Tu parles de la période de temps. C'est un nom pur.
- La correction :
I will call you during the daytime.
Dailydaytime quand ils veulent dire daily.Dailysignifie « chaque jour » (fréquence).Daytimesignifie « pendant la journée » (moment).- Exemple : Ne dis pas
I have a daytime meetingsi tu veux dire que la réunion a lieu tous les jours. DisI have a daily meeting. Disday-time meetingsi tu veux préciser que la réunion est à 14h et non à 21h.
daytime, tu comprendras des dizaines d'autres structures.Nighttime | Night-time | In the nighttime vs A night-time habit |Fulltime (rare) | Full-time | He works full-time (adverbe/adj) |Longterm (rare) | Long-term | A long-term investment |Outdoor | Out-of-door | I love the outdoors vs An outdoor café |Full-time et Part-time :daytime, ces mots sont presque toujours écrits avec un trait d'union lorsqu'ils sont adjectifs (a full-time job). Cependant, lorsqu'ils sont utilisés comme adverbes après un verbe, le trait d'union disparaît parfois selon les guides de style : I work full time.daytime, la règle est plus stable :- Un seul mot pour le concept global.
- Trait d'union pour la description avant un nom.
day time en deux mots séparés ?day time, tu parles littéralement du « temps du jour » de manière très décomposée. Par exemple : We need to calculate the total day time and night time for the experiment. C'est très rare et spécifique au domaine scientifique ou technique.daytime ou day-time.daytime peut être un adjectif sans trait d'union ?daytime television sans trait d'union. C'est ce qu'on appelle un attributive noun (un nom qui agit comme un adjectif).day-time reste la marque d'une meilleure maîtrise grammaticale.daytime et daylight ?Daytime se réfère à l'horloge (les heures où il fait jour). Daylight se réfère à la lumière physique du soleil.I like the daytime= J'aime cette période de la journée.I like the daylight= J'aime la lumière du jour qui entre par la fenêtre.
day-time ?daytime même pour l'adjectif. Mais attention : la grammaire traditionnelle et la clarté de lecture privilégient encore le trait d'union pour l'adjectif.Usage of 'Daytime' as Noun vs. Adjective
| Function | Position | Example | Common Collocations |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Noun
|
After prepositions (in/during)
|
I sleep in the daytime.
|
in the daytime, during the daytime
|
|
Adjective
|
Before a noun
|
I watch daytime TV.
|
daytime television, daytime temperatures
|
|
Subject
|
Start of a sentence
|
Daytime is for working.
|
Daytime hours, Daytime sky
|
|
Object
|
After a verb
|
I enjoy the daytime.
|
prefer the daytime, enjoy the daytime
|
Meanings
The period of time during the day between dawn and dusk when there is natural light.
Noun: The period of light
Refers to the specific block of time when the sun is up.
“In the daytime, the city is very crowded.”
“He sleeps during the daytime because he works at night.”
Adjective: Occurring during the day
Used to describe things that happen or exist during daylight hours.
“She enjoys watching daytime talk shows.”
“The museum offers daytime tours for students.”
Archaic/Variant: Day-time
An older spelling of the same concept, occasionally found in 19th-century literature.
“The travelers rested in the day-time.”
“Old manuscripts often used the hyphenated day-time.”
Reference Table
| Forme | Nature du mot | Fonction | Exemple |
|---|---|---|---|
|
`daytime`
|
Nom
|
Désigne la période de la journée avec de la lumière.
|
Cats often sleep during the `daytime`.
|
|
`day-time`
|
Adjectif composé
|
Décrit un nom qui se produit pendant la journée.
|
She is looking for a `day-time` job.
|
|
`nighttime`
|
Nom
|
Désigne la période de la journée avec l'obscurité.
|
The city is quiet during the `nighttime`.
|
|
`night-time`
|
Adjectif composé
|
Décrit un nom qui se produit pendant la nuit.
|
He enjoys `night-time` photography.
|
|
`day time` (incorrect)
|
Composé ouvert (archaïque)
|
À éviter ; utilise 'daytime' ou 'day-time' à la place.
|
I'll see you in the `day time`.
|
|
`daytime` (as adjective)
|
Nom attributif
|
Moins courant/clair que la forme avec tiret.
|
The `daytime` schedule is packed.
|
Spectre de formalité
I am occupied during the daytime hours. (work schedule)
I'm busy in the daytime. (work schedule)
I'm busy during the day. (work schedule)
I'm tied up all day long. (work schedule)
Daytime vs. Day-time
Comme un Nom (La période elle-même)
- daytime La période avec de la lumière du soleil
Comme un Adjectif (Décrit une chose)
- day-time Quelque chose qui se passe pendant la journée
Daytime (Nom) vs. Day-time (Adjectif)
Lequel dois-je utiliser ?
Décris-tu un autre nom ? (par exemple, un 'job', 'show', ou 'hours')
Fais-tu référence à la période de lumière entre le lever et le coucher du soleil ?
Catégoriser l'utilisation
Utilise `daytime` (Nom)
- • During the daytime
- • I prefer the daytime
- • Daytime is bright
Utilise `day-time` (Adjectif)
- • A day-time meeting
- • Day-time temperatures
- • The day-time schedule
Exemples par niveau
I sleep in the daytime.
I sleep during the day.
The daytime is hot.
The hours of light are hot.
I like daytime TV.
I like television shows during the day.
Birds sing in the daytime.
Birds sing when it is light.
It is safer to walk in the daytime.
Walking is safer when there is light.
We have many daytime activities planned.
We have activities for the day.
The daytime sky is blue.
The sky during the day is blue.
She works a daytime job.
She has a job during the day.
Daytime temperatures are expected to rise.
Temperatures during the day will go up.
The museum is only open during the daytime.
The museum closes at night.
I prefer daytime flights because I can see the view.
Flights during the day are better for me.
Most daytime talk shows are quite similar.
TV shows in the afternoon are alike.
The transition from daytime to dusk is beautiful here.
The change from day to evening is nice.
Daytime running lights are mandatory for cars in this country.
Cars must have lights on during the day.
The city's daytime population doubles due to commuters.
More people are in the city during the day.
He struggled to adjust to a daytime schedule after years of night shifts.
Changing to day work was hard.
The artist captured the harshness of the daytime sun.
The painting showed the strong sun.
Daytime nesting habits vary significantly between species.
Animals have different habits during the day.
The film utilizes natural daytime lighting to create a sense of realism.
Real light was used in the movie.
Economic activity during the daytime remains the primary driver of the local market.
Day business is the most important.
The poem juxtaposes the chaotic daytime with the serene night.
The poem compares day and night.
The shift toward closed compounds like 'daytime' reflects a broader orthographic trend.
Writing 'daytime' as one word is part of a trend.
Daytime visibility was severely hampered by the unexpected fog.
You couldn't see well during the day.
The architectural design maximizes daytime illumination through expansive skylights.
The building uses a lot of natural light.
Facile à confondre
Learners often use 'daily' when they mean 'during the day'.
Thinking they are separate words because they are two nouns.
Using 'daytime' to refer to the light itself.
Erreurs courantes
day time
daytime
day-time
daytime
in daytime
in the daytime
daytimes
daytime
a day-time job
a daytime job
during daytime
during the daytime
day time TV
daytime TV
day-time temperatures
daytime temperatures
daily time
daytime
daytime's heat
the daytime heat
day-time
daytime
day time
daytime
day-time running lights
daytime running lights
Structures de phrases
I usually ___ in the daytime.
The ___ is much better during the daytime.
Daytime ___ can be very ___.
Despite the ___, I prefer to ___ in the daytime.
Real World Usage
Check the daytime schedule for the news.
Daytime highs will reach 25 degrees.
I am looking for a position with daytime hours.
These predators are rarely seen in the daytime.
Can't talk now, too busy in the daytime. Call u tonight!
Ensure daytime running lights are functional.
La règle 'Avant un Nom'
job, hours, show), tu auras presque toujours besoin de la forme day-time avec un tiret. Pense à 'un travail de jour'. "I'm looking for day-time hours."N'utilise pas 'Day-time' seul
day-time est un adjectif et semble incomplète seule. Elle a besoin d'un nom à modifier. Ne termine jamais une phrase par 'in the day-time'. La forme correcte est 'in the daytime'. "We'll meet in the daytime."Pense aux autres composés
full-time (à temps plein) vs full time ou long-term (à long terme) vs long term. Maîtriser ce modèle t'aidera avec de nombreuses autres paires de mots déroutantes en anglais. He works full-time.Événements de jour vs de soirée
day-time implique souvent un code vestimentaire et une atmosphère plus décontractés par rapport à une soirée formelle. "It's a day-time wedding, so dress casually."Smart Tips
Always use 'daytime' as one word. These are the most common places you'll see it.
Think of the sun. The sun is one solid circle. 'Daytime' is one solid word.
Be careful! You might see 'night-time' with a hyphen, but don't let it trick you into hyphenating 'daytime'.
Remember that it doesn't need a hyphen even before a noun, because it's already a single word.
Prononciation
Stress Pattern
The stress is on the first syllable 'DAY'.
Vowel Sounds
Both 'a' and 'i' are long vowels (diphthongs).
Falling intonation
I love the daytime. ↘
Standard statement of fact.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Daytime is like the sun: it's one big, bright thing, so keep it as one big, bright word!
Association visuelle
Imagine the words 'Day' and 'Time' being welded together by a bright sunbeam. The heat is so strong that they melt into a single word: daytime.
Rhyme
When the sun is high and the sky is blue, 'daytime' is one word, through and through.
Story
Once, 'Day' and 'Time' were neighbors with a fence (a hyphen) between them. But they liked each other so much that they tore down the fence and became one single family called 'Daytime'.
Word Web
Défi
Write three sentences about your favorite thing to do when the sun is up, using the word 'daytime' in each one. Check that you haven't used any hyphens!
Notes culturelles
'Daytime TV' has a specific cultural connotation, often associated with soap operas, talk shows, and game shows aimed at people who are at home during the day.
In many large cities, the 'daytime population' is a key metric for urban planners, as it includes millions of commuters who aren't there at night.
While both use 'daytime', British English is much more likely to keep the hyphen in 'night-time', creating a slight inconsistency in the language.
Derived from Old English 'dæg' (day) and 'tīma' (time).
Amorces de conversation
Do you prefer the daytime or the nighttime?
What are the daytime temperatures like in your city during summer?
If you had to work a night shift, how would you spend your daytime?
How has daytime television changed in your country over the last decade?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
Most of our stores are only open during the ___.
daytime est le nom qui désigne la période de la journée. La phrase parle de *quand* les magasins sont ouverts, c'est-à-dire 'pendant la période de lumière du jour'.Choose the correct sentence:
Find and fix the mistake:
The security guard has a different routine for the day-time.
day-time comme un nom. La forme correcte pour désigner la période de temps est le nom daytime.Score: /3
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesI prefer to do my grocery shopping in the ___.
She has a ___ job, so she is home by 6 PM.
Find and fix the mistake:
The day-time temperatures are very high in the desert.
He works during the hours when it is light.
In modern English, 'daytime' should always be hyphenated when used as an adjective.
A: Why do you look so tired? B: I'm not used to working ___; I usually work the night shift.
Sort these: day-time, daytime, day time
1. Daytime, 2. Daily, 3. Daylight
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesDo you have any ___ appointments available this week?
The flowers will only bloom if they get enough sunlight during the ___.
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose the correct sentence:
Her new medication has to be taken in the daytime.
What is the building's daytime phone number?
Translate into English: 'El programa de televisión diurno fue cancelado.'
Translate into English: 'Prefiero la calma del día.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the terms with their role:
Score: /11
FAQ (10)
It's not 'wrong' in a way that people won't understand, but it's very old-fashioned. Modern dictionaries like Oxford and Merriam-Webster list it as 'daytime' (one word).
English is inconsistent! 'Daytime' became a single word faster than 'night-time' did. Some people use 'nighttime' as one word too, but 'night-time' remains common in the UK.
It's much more natural to say 'in the daytime' or 'during the daytime'. Without 'the', it sounds a bit like 'telegraphese' or a newspaper headline.
Technically, you can use it to mean 'on various occasions during the day,' but it's very rare. Stick to 'in the daytime'.
No. Unlike 'well-known' or 'fast-acting', 'daytime' is a closed compound noun that acts as an adjective. It doesn't need a hyphen.
'Daytime' is the time (e.g., 2 PM). 'Daylight' is the light itself. You can't have 'daytime' in a windowless room, but you can still be in the 'daytime' period!
Yes, it is the standard spelling in all major varieties of English, including British, American, Canadian, and Australian.
Stress the first part: **DAY**-time. The 'time' part is shorter and has less emphasis.
No, it's a noun or an adjective. To use it like an adverb, you need a preposition: 'He works *in the* daytime.'
It's neutral! You can use it in a text to a friend or in a scientific report about animal behavior.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
el día / durante el día
Spanish uses a phrase; English uses a single compound word.
la journée
French has a specific single noun; English joins two nouns.
die Tageszeit
German adds an 's' (genitive) between the words; English does not.
昼間 (hiruma)
Japanese uses kanji compounds; English uses Latin script compounds.
وقت النهار (waqt al-nahar)
Arabic is always two words; English is one.
白天 (báitiān)
Chinese characters are always the same size; English words change length when joined.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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