ライター

• Reading: らいたー
• Romaji: raitaa
• Pronunciation: /ɾa.i.taː/

Meaning

Lighter; writer. A fire-starting device, or a person who writes professionally.

A loanword from English with two distinct meanings: (1) a cigarette lighter or any portable flame-producing device, and (2) a professional writer or author. Context usually makes the meaning clear. For lighters: ライターで火をつける (to light with a lighter). For writers: フリーライター (freelance writer). The dual meaning is a well-known quirk of Japanese loanwords.

Examples

1. ライターを貸してもらえますか。 Could you lend me a lighter?
2. 彼女はフリーライターとして働いている。 She works as a freelance writer.
3. キャンプでライターが見つからなくて困った。 I was in trouble because I couldn't find a lighter at the campsite.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, careers, smoking

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Borrowed from English 'lighter' (fire device) and 'writer' (author). Both entered Japanese as the same katakana word due to identical pronunciation in Japanese phonology. The fire-starting meaning arrived first.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal