午夜 (wǔyè): midnight

Meanings

午 here refers to the midpoint — 午夜 is the midpoint of the night, i.e., midnight

Tā wǔyè cái huí jiā.

He didn't get home until midnight.

Wǔyè de jiēdào hěn ānjìng.

The streets at midnight are very quiet.

usage

午夜 is slightly more literary than 半夜 (bànyè), which is the everyday word for 'midnight' or 'middle of the night.' 午夜 refers specifically to 12:00 AM.

午 wǔ

夜 yè