明暗(めいあん)

めいあん
noun
light and darkness; contrast
1. light and darkness; brightness and shadow
The contrast between light and dark areas.
明暗(めいあん)をはっきりつける。
To create clear contrast between light and shadow.
この絵(え)は明暗(めいあん)のコントラストが美(うつく)しい。
This painting has beautiful contrast between light and dark.
写真(しゃしん)の明暗(めいあん)を調整(ちょうせい)して、より印象的(いんしょうてき)な作品(さくひん)に仕上(しあ)げた。
By adjusting the light and shadow in the photo, I finished it as a more striking work.
2. fortune and misfortune; fate
The contrast between good and bad outcomes.
人生(じんせい)の明暗(めいあん)を分(わ)ける。
To determine one's fate.
あの試合(しあい)が二人(ふたり)の明暗(めいあん)を分(わ)けた。
That match determined their different fates.
同(おな)じ大学(だいがく)を出(で)たのに、二人(ふたり)の人生(じんせい)の明暗(めいあん)ははっきりと分(わ)かれた。
Despite graduating from the same university, their life paths diverged sharply.

明暗(めいあん) combines 明(めい) (bright) and 暗(あん) (dark), forming a compound with both literal and figurative meanings.

Etymology

Contrast between light and shadow in visual art, photography, or film. Important in Japanese aesthetics.

Figurative meaning

Contrast between good fortune and misfortune; the difference between success and failure.

Common expressions

Usage

Often used in sports/competition contexts: この試合(しあい)が明暗(めいあん)を分(わ)けた (This match determined their fates).

Similar compounds: 白黒(しろくろ) (black and white), 陰陽(いんよう) (yin and yang).

Related Words

Related: 白黒(しろくろ) (black and white)
Related: 濃淡(のうたん) (dark and light shading)
Compare: 陰影(いんえい) (shadow)
Compare: 光影(こうえい) (light and shadow)
general
Added 2026.1.16 17:11 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
05500/05560_meian