明かり

• Reading: あかり
• Romaji: akari
• Kanji breakdown: 明 (mei/aka) — bright, light
• Pronunciation: /a.ka.ɾi/

Meaning

Lamplight; light in general. Refers to any source of illumination, from candles to electric lights.

A noun derived from the verb 明かる (to become bright). Often used poetically or atmospherically to describe warm, soft light rather than harsh illumination. Common in compounds and set phrases like 明かりをつける (turn on a light).

Examples

1. 部屋の明かりをつけてください。 Please turn on the light in the room.
2. 遠くに小さな明かりが見えた。 I could see a small light in the distance.
3. 停電で明かりが全部消えてしまった。 All the lights went out during the power outage.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, literature, home

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Derived from the adjective 明るい (bright). The kanji 明 combines 日 (sun) and 月 (moon), representing brightness from celestial light.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal