1.
shadow
A dark area produced by blocking light.
自分の影を見た。
I saw my shadow.
木の影が地面に映っている。
The shadow of the tree is cast on the ground.
夕方になると、影が長く伸びる。
In the evening, shadows grow long.
2.
silhouette, figure
The outline of a person or thing.
人影が見えた。
I saw a figure.
彼の影も見えない。
There's no sign of him at all.
暗い道の向こうに、誰かの影が動いているのが見えた。
I could see someone's figure moving at the far end of the dark road.
3.
reflection
An image seen in water or a mirror.
水に影が映る。
A reflection appears on the water.
湖に山の影が映っていた。
The reflection of the mountain was visible on the lake.
風がやんで水面が静かになると、木々の影がくっきりと映った。
When the wind died down and the water became still, the reflections of the trees appeared clearly.
影 refers to shadows and silhouettes.
COMPARE:
- 影: shadow, silhouette
- 陰: shade, behind
EXPRESSIONS:
- 影が薄い: to have little presence
- 影を潜める: to hide, to disappear
COMPOUNDS:
- 影響: influence
- 人影: figure of a person