明(あ)かり

あかり

noun

light, lamplight

See also: 灯(あか)り (lamplight (灯))

1. light, illumination

Light from a lamp, candle, or other source. The brightness that allows one to see.

明(あ)かりをつけてください。

Please turn on the light.

窓(まど)から明(あ)かりが見(み)えます。

I can see a light from the window.

明(あ)かりを消(け)して寝(ね)ました。

I turned off the light and went to sleep.

遠(とお)くに明(あ)かりが見(み)えます。

I can see a light in the distance.

ろうそくの明(あ)かりで本(ほん)を読(よ)んだ。

I read a book by candlelight.

明(あ)かり refers to light or illumination.

Common patterns

明(あ)かりをつける (turn on the light)
明(あ)かりを消(け)す (turn off the light)
明(あ)かりが漏(も)れる (light leaks through)
月(つき)の明(あ)かり (moonlight)

Similar words

光(ひかり): light (more general, including sunlight)
明(あ)かり: light, glow (lamps, or moonlight/firelight in literary use)
電気(でんき): electricity, electric light (casual for room light)

Cultural note

Often used in literary contexts for atmospheric descriptions.

Related Words

Synonym: 光(ひかり) (light (general))

Compare: 電気(でんき) (electricity, electric light)

Compare: 電灯(でんとう) (electric light)

Compare: 灯火(とうか) (lamplight)

core

Added 2026.1.9 20:57 · Revised 2026.9.4 22:00

01500/01681_akari