対照

• 読み: たいしょう
• ローマ字: taishou
• 漢字の分解: 対 (tai) — opposite, versus; 照 (shou) — illuminate, compare
• 発音: /ta.i.ɕo.ɯ/

意味

Contrast; antithesis; comparison. Examining two things side by side to highlight their differences.

A noun that also functions as a する verb (対照する means 'to contrast'). Often used in the form 対照的 (contrastive, contrasting). Different from the homophone 対象 (target/object), which is a common source of confusion for learners. Frequently appears in literary analysis and academic writing.

例文

1. 二つの文化を対照すると面白い違いが見える。
2. 姉と妹は対照的な性格だ。
3. 明るい色と暗い色の対照が美しい。

使い方ガイド

場面: literary analysis, academic writing, art criticism

トーン: neutral

起源と歴史

Composed of 対 (opposite, versus) and 照 (illuminate, shine upon). Together they describe the act of shining light on two opposing things to reveal their differences.

文化的背景

時代: Modern

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Educated