Translation and Meaning of: 光 - hikari

The Japanese word 「光」, pronounced as "hikari", is a term that means "light". This word is made up of a single kanji that is often associated with clarity and brightness. The presence of light is a universal concept, and in Japan, 「光」 carries both its physical meanings as well as deep symbolism, such as hope, inspiration, and renewal.

Etymologically, the kanji 「光」 is composed of two main radicals. The upper radical 「儿」 is an abbreviated form of "er" meaning "child" or "person," and the lower 「光」 itself means light. Together, they symbolize something that illuminates or shines in its essence. The "child" radical may suggest the idea of the emergence or birth of light, a metaphor for the beginning of something new.

Variations and Cultural Use

• 「光る」(hikaru) - verb meaning "to shine" or "to radiate".
• 「光景」(koukei) translates to "landscape," but it suggests the idea of a scene illuminated or highlighted by light.
• 「光明」(koumyou) - refers to "a bright light" or "clarity", often with spiritual connotations.

The origin of the use of 「光」 dates back to ancient times in Japanese and Chinese writings, where civilizations cultivated the concept of light not only to physically illuminate the environment but also as a symbol of knowledge and wisdom. This relationship with spiritual enlightenment is a recurring theme in classical Japanese literature and Eastern philosophies.

In everyday life in modern Japan, 「光」 can be observed in various contexts, from art and poetry, where light is used as a powerful metaphor, to technology and science, as in "fiber optics" which is called 「光ファイバー」 (hikari faibā). This versatility and depth make the word 「光」 an integral and influential part of the Japanese lexicon. Furthermore, the word is commonly used in proper names, both in fictional stories and in real life, imparting a sense of brightness and hope to those who carry it.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 輝き (hikaru) - Brightness, splendor
• 光輝 (kouki) - Brilliance, intense brightness
• 光彩 (kousai) - Light show, radiant sparkle
• 光明 (koumyou) - Clear light, brightness
• 光照 (koushou) - Lighting, radiation of light
• 光線 (kousen) - Ray of light, beam of light
• 光景 (koukei) - Illuminated scene, bright view
• 光芒 (koumou) - Rays of light, radiant glow
• 光沢 (koutaku) - Shine, luster, glossy finish
• 光燦 (kousan) - Sparkling light, intense shine
• 光り輝く (hikari kagayaku) - Shine brightly
• 光る (hikaru) - Shine, emit light
• 光り輝く (hikari kagayaku) - Shine with splendor
• 光り (hikari) - Light
• 光り輝き (hikari kagayaki) - Radiant glow
• 光り輝ける (hikari kagayakeru) - Able to shine brightly
• 光り輝かしい (hikari kagayakashi) - brilliant, radiant
• 光り輝かせる (hikari kagayakaseru) - Cause radiant shine
• 光り輝かす (hikari kagayakasu) - Make it shine radiantly
• 光り輝かず (hikari kagayakazu) - Do not shine, without brilliance
• 光り輝いている (hikari kagayaiteiru) - To be shining brightly
• 光り輝いた (hikari kagayaita) - Shone brightly
• 光り輝いて (hikari kagayaite) - Shining in splendor
• 光り輝きを放つ (hikari kagayaki wo hanatsu) - Emitting radiant shine
• 光り輝くように (hikari kagayaku you ni) - Radiantly
• 光り輝きを増す (hikari kagayaki wo masu) - Increase the radiant brightness

光

Romaji: hikari
Kana: ひかり
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: light

Meaning in English: light

Definition: Electromagnetic waves emitted by objects or the sensation of feeling them.

Example Sentences - (光) hikari

See below some example sentences:

光沢のある髪の毛が美しいです。

Kōtaku no aru kaminoke ga utsukushīdesu

The shiny hair is beautiful.

• 光沢 - shine
• の - Possession particle
• ある - exist
• 髪の毛 - hair
• が - subject particle
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - Ser/estar (polite form)

日光は美しい自然がたくさんある場所です。

Nikkou wa utsukushii shizen ga takusan aru basho desu

Nikko is a place with a lot of beautiful nature.

• 日光 - Proper name referring to a city in Japan.
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• 自然 - Noun that means "nature"
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• たくさん - Adverb that means "very"
• ある - Verb that means "to exist"
• 場所 - Noun that means "place"
• です - Linking verb that indicates the end of the sentence and formality.

有名な観光地に行きたいです。

Yūmei na kankōchi ni ikitai desu

I want to go to a famous tourist place.

I want to go to a famous tourist spot.

• 有名な - famous
• 観光地 - Tourist attraction
• に - particle indicating destination
• 行きたい - want to go
• です - a polite way of finishing a sentence

蛍光灯を交換する必要があります。

Keikoutou wo koukan suru hitsuyou ga arimasu

It is necessary to replace fluorescent light.

• 蛍光灯 (Keikoutou) - Fluorescent lamp
• を (wo) - object particle
• 交換する (koukan suru) - Change, replace
• 必要があります (hitsuyou ga arimasu) - Is required

見苦しい光景を目にするのは嫌だ。

Mikurushii koukei wo me ni suru no wa iya da

I don't want to see an ugly view.

• 見苦しい - an adjective that means "ugly" or "unpleasant to look at"
• 光景 - noun that means "scene" or "panorama"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 目にする - verb that means "see" or "witness"
• のは - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 嫌だ - expression that means "hate" or "dislike"

観光地に行きたいです。

Kankōchi ni ikitai desu

I want to go to a tourist spot.

• 観光地 - "tourist spot"
• に - it is a particle that indicates the direction or target of an action.
• 行きたい - it is a conjugated form of the verb "to go" that means "to want to go".
• です - it is a particle of completion that indicates that the sentence is a statement.

観光は日本の文化を体験する素晴らしい方法です。

Kankou wa Nihon no bunka o taiken suru subarashii houhou desu

Tourism is a great way to experience Japanese culture.

• 観光 - Tourism
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possessive particle
• 文化 - culture
• を - direct object particle
• 体験する - to experiment
• 素晴らしい - amazing
• 方法 - method
• です - be (linking verb)