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:

光の屈折は美しいです。

Kou no kussetsu wa utsukushii desu

The refraction of light is beautiful.

The refraction of light is beautiful.

• 光の屈折 - Refraction of light
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - pretty
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

闇の中に光がある。

Yami no naka ni hikari ga aru

There is light in the dark.

• 闇 - means "darkness" in Japanese.
• の - particle of possession in Japanese, which indicates that "darkness" is the possessor.
• 中 - means "in the middle" or "inside" in Japanese.
• に - location particle in Japanese, which indicates that "in the middle" or "inside" is the location.
• 光 - Means "light" in Japanese.
• が - subject particle in Japanese, which indicates that "light" is the subject.
• ある - verb "exist" in Japanese, which indicates that "light" exists.

稲光が輝く夜空は美しいです。

Inabikari ga kagayaku yozora wa utsukushii desu

The night the lightning shine is beautiful.

The night sky where the shine shines is beautiful.

• 稲光 (inabikari) - lightning
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 輝く (kagayaku) - shine
• 夜空 (yozora) - night sky
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 美しい (utsukushii) - beautiful
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

穴があるところから光が入る。

Ana ga aru tokoro kara hikari ga hairu

Light enters where there is a hole.

Light enters from where there is a hole.

• 穴があるところから - "a partir from the place where there is a hole"
• 光が入る - "the light enters"

復活は希望の光です。

Fukkatsu wa kibou no hikari desu

The resurrection is the light of hope.

The resurrection is the light of hope.

• 復活 - means "resurrection" or "to revive"
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 希望 - means "hope"
• の - grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship
• 光 - means "light"
• です - verb "to be" in the present tense, indicating affirmation or declaration

微かな光が見える。

Kasukana hikari ga mieru

The Faint Light Can Be Seen.

You can see a weak light.

• 微かな (kasukana) - weak, light, soft
• 光 (hikari) - light
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 見える (mieru) - to be visible, to be able to see

太陽の光が海面に照り返す。

Taiyō no hikari ga kaimen ni terikaesu

Sunlight reflects off the surface of the sea.

Sunlight shines on the surface of the sea.

• 太陽 - Sun
• の - Possessive particle
• 光 - Light
• が - Subject particle
• 海面 - Sea surface
• に - Location particle
• 照り返す - Reflect

光る星が美しいです。

Hikaru hoshi ga utsukushii desu

The bright stars are beautiful.

The bright stars are beautiful.

• 光る - brillant
• 星 - star
• が - subject particle
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

光熱費が高くて困っています。

Kounetsuhi ga takakute komatteimasu

I am concerned about the high cost of energy.

I'm having trouble because the utility bill is high.

• 光熱費 - expenses with electricity and heating
• が - subject particle
• 高くて - high and
• 困っています - I am worried

この光景は美しいです。

Kono koukei wa utsukushii desu

This scene is beautiful.

This view is beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 光景 - noun that means "scene" or "landscape"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - verb to be in the present, indicating that the sentence is in the present tense and that the scene is beautiful