Kanji meanings › Light
Kanji for Light
Japanese has more than one kanji connected to “light”: 光、明、灯、暉、皓. Each has its own feeling. Compare their meanings, readings and the names they appear in.
light
Light that shines on others.
6 strokes On reading コウ (kou) Kun reading ひかる、ひかり (hikaru, hikari) JLPT N3
Dictionary meanings: ray, light
Readings used for names on Nazuke: kou, teru, mi, mitsu
In Japan it appears in about 1,604 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in girls’ names.
Names written with 光: Cody 光知 · Corey 光里 · Nicole 新光瑠 · Courtney 光音新 · Cole 光瑠 · Cory 光里 · Colby 光瑠美 · Colin 光凛 · Colton 光瑠音 · Cordie 光知 · Cortez 光知寿 · Masako 真冴光 and 25 more
brightness
Light that clears the dark; bright, clear and open.
It combines the sun 日 and the moon 月.
8 strokes On reading メイ、ミョウ、ミン (mei, myou, min) Kun reading あかり、あかるい、あかるむ (akari, akarui, akarumu) JLPT N3
Dictionary meanings: bright, light
Readings used for names on Nazuke: a, aki, haru, min, me, mei
In Japan it appears in about 1,934 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in girls’ names.
Names written with 明: Megan 明雅 · Andrea 安道礼明 · Jasmine 慈寿明 · Benjamin 縁慈明 · Alexandria 安礼久山道里明 · Min 明 · Aria 安里明 · Macy 明詩 · Ming 明久 · Minh 明 · Adria 安道里明 · Aurea 安羽怜明 and 433 more
More about 明 →lamp
A light in the dark.
6 strokes On reading トウ (tou) Kun reading ひ、ほ、ともしび (hi, ho, tomoshibi) JLPT N2
Dictionary meanings: lamp, a light, light, counter for lights
Readings used for names on Nazuke: tou, tomo, hi
In Japan it appears in about 173 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in girls’ names.
Names written with 灯: Gilberto 義瑠恵灯 · Delphine 智瑠灯新 · Garfield 画灯瑠道 · Cristobal 久里寿灯羽瑠 · Hildegard 灯瑠千芽道 · Hildegarde 灯瑠千芽道 · Peter 灯楽 · Hee 灯 · Hue 灯 · Huey 灯生 · Hugh 灯 · Otto 緒灯 and 30 more
More about 灯 →radiance
Bright, shining light that spreads all around.
13 strokes On reading キ (ki) Kun reading かがやく (kagayaku) JLPT N1
Dictionary meanings: shine, light
Readings used for names on Nazuke: ki, teru
In Japan it appears in about 119 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in girls’ names.
white light
Pure, shining white light, like moonlight on snow.
12 strokes On reading コウ (kou) Kun reading しろい、ひかる (shiroi, hikaru) JLPT N1
Dictionary meanings: white, clear
Readings used for names on Nazuke: aki, kou, teru, hiro
In Japan it appears in about 122 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, in both boys’ and girls’ names.
More about 皓 →Thinking of a tattoo? A single kanji like these is meaningful on its own, but ask a native speaker to check the exact form and stroke order before you commit.
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