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.

Usage

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

Common expressions

  • 明暗(めいあん)を分(わ)ける: to determine fate/outcome ("divide light and dark")
  • 明暗(めいあん)をつける: to create contrast
  • 明暗(めいあん)がはっきりする: contrast becomes clear

Related words

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)
Related: 陰陽(いんよう) (yin and yang)
Related: 遠近(えんきん) (distance)
general
Added 2026.1.16 17:11 · Revised 2026.10.5 9:35
05500/05560_meian