(とうだい)

とうだい
noun
lighthouse
1. lighthouse
A tower with a powerful light that guides ships at sea.
灯台(とうだい)(ひかり)()える
I can see the lighthouse's light.
There is a lighthouse at the tip of the cape.
灯台(とうだい)(もと)(くら)
It's dark at the foot of the lighthouse. (Proverb: One fails to see what is close at hand.)
The old lighthouse is popular as a tourist spot.
The lighthouse's light protects ships on the nighttime sea.

灯台(とうだい) refers to a lighthouse.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 灯台(とうだい)(もり): lighthouse keeper
  • 灯台(とうだい)(ひかり): lighthouse light

PROVERB:
灯台(とうだい)(もと)(くら) (toudai moto kurashi): "It's dark at the foot of the lighthouse." Meaning: People often fail to notice things that are right in front of them.

NOTE:
Not to be confused with 東大(とうだい) (Tokyo University).

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