Translation and Meaning of: 照らす - terasu

The Japanese word 照らす (てらす) carries deep meanings and practical applications in everyday life in Japan. If you are learning Japanese or simply interested in the language, understanding its usage, origin, and cultural context can be enriching. In this article, we will explore everything from the basic meaning to curiosities about how this word is perceived by native speakers. Additionally, we will see tips for memorizing it and examples of how it appears in real situations.

Meaning and use of 照らす

照らす means "to illuminate" or "to cast light on something," either literally or figuratively. In a physical sense, it can describe the action of a flashlight lighting up a dark path or the sun shining on a landscape. On a metaphorical level, the word is used to express clarity, as in "illuminating the truth" or "clarifying a matter."

An interesting detail is that 照らす often appears in contexts where light plays a transformative role. For example, in Japanese literature, it is common to find the word associated with moments of revelation or discovery. This duality between the concrete and the abstract makes 照らす a versatile word full of nuances.

Origin and components of kanji

The kanji 照 is composed of the radical 灬 (hi), which represents fire, combined with 昭 (shou), which carries the idea of shine or brightness. This combination is not by chance: it reinforces the word's connection to light and heat. The etymology traces back to ancient Chinese, where the character was already used with a similar meaning of "illuminate" or "warm."

It's worth noting that 照らす shares the root with other important words, such as 照明 (shoumei, "lighting") and 照会 (shoukai, "inquiry" or "verification"). This lexical kinship helps to understand how the concept of "lighting" expands into different areas of the Japanese language.

Tips for memorizing and using 照らす

An effective way to remember 照らす is to associate it with everyday situations. Imagine a scene where you use a flashlight to illuminate a dark object — that is the perfect setting to employ the word. Another tip is to create simple sentences, such as "懐中電灯で道を照らす" (to use a flashlight to light up the path), which help to internalize the verb.

Additionally, pay attention to compounds like 照れくさい (tererukusai, "embarrassing") or 照れ屋 (tereya, "shy person"), which derive from the same root. These connections show how the idea of "light" can evolve into more abstract meanings, such as "to reveal" or "to be embarrassed."

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 照らす

照らす: Dictionary form
照らします: polite/formal
照らした: Past form
照らして: imperative form
照らさない: negative form

Synonyms and similar words

照明する (shoumei suru) - Illuminate, provide lighting.
照明を当てる (shoumei wo ateru) - Apply lighting, focus light on something.
照射する (shousha suru) - Emit light or radiation, irradiate.
照射を当てる (shousha wo ateru) - Direct the irradiation or emission of light onto something.
照らし出す (terashi dasu) - Illuminate, clearly highlight something under the light.
照り返す (terikaesu) - Reflect light, shine when illuminated.
照りつける (teritsukeru) - Shine brightly, especially the sun.
照り焼く (teriyaku) - Cooking brilliantly, typically referred to as glazed foods.
照る (teru) - Shine, be illuminated.
照れる (tereru) - Feeling embarrassed or shy.
照れくさい (terekusai) - To be embarrassing or difficult to deal with because of shyness.
照れ隠し (terekakushi) - Hiding shyness or embarrassment, usually by laughing or acting casually.
照れ顔 (teregao) - Facial expression or embarrassed face.
照れくさった (terekusatta) - To be ashamed.
照れくさく思う (terekusaku omou) - Feeling embarrassed when thinking about something.
照れくさそうにする (terekusasou ni suru) - Act in an embarrassed manner.
照れくさそうに笑う (terekusasou ni warau) - Laughing embarrassedly.
照れくさそうに話す (terekusasou ni hanasu) - Speak in an embarrassed way.
照れくさそうにしている (terekusasou ni shite iru) - Acting shamefully.
照れくさそうにしていた (terekusasou ni shite ita) - He was acting shamefully.