日光

• Reading: にっこう
• Romaji: nikkou
• Kanji breakdown: 日 (nichi/hi) — sun, day; 光 (kou/hikari) — light
• Pronunciation: /nik.koː/

Meaning

Sunlight; the light that comes from the sun.

A noun referring to sunlight or sunshine. Used in everyday contexts about weather, health, and nature. Common expressions: 日光を浴びる (nikkou wo abiru, to bask in sunlight), 日光浴 (nikkouyoku, sunbathing). Also the name of the famous tourist city 日光市 in Tochigi Prefecture, known for its UNESCO World Heritage shrines.

Examples

1. 朝の日光を浴びると体にいいらしい。 Apparently it's good for your health to soak up the morning sunlight.
2. 日光が強いから帽子をかぶったほうがいい。 The sunlight is strong, so you should wear a hat.
3. 部屋に日光がたくさん入って明るい。 Lots of sunlight comes into the room, making it bright.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, health, nature

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 日 (nichi, sun/day) and 光 (kou, light). A straightforward combination meaning 'sun-light.'

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal