Phrase guide

under the sun

prep_phrase · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

In existence.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Meronym: sublunary

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Middle English under þe sonne, under þe sunne (compare Old English under sunnan), a calque of Hebrew תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ (táchat hashémesh). The phrase has been associated with the book of Ecclesiastes ever since appearing 29 times in the translation to English by John Wycliffe https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=Under+the+sun&version=WYC

Across languages

Translations

15 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Esperanto: sub la suno — in existence
  • Finnish: auringon alla — in existence
  • Finnish: päällä maan — in existence
  • French: sous le soleil — in existence
  • German: auf Erden — in existence
  • Japanese: 日の下 (hi no shita) — in existence
  • Middle English: under þe sonne — in existence
  • Middle English: under þe mone — in existence
  • Romanian: sub soare — in existence
  • Romanian: pe sub soare — in existence
  • Russian: в мире — in existence
  • Russian: на земле (na zemle) — in existence
  • Russian: на свете (na svete) — in existence
  • Spanish: habido y por haber — in existence
  • Vietnamese: trên đời — in existence