灯(ともしび)

ともしび
noun
light, lamp, flame
literary
See also: 灯火(ともしび) (lamplight, flickering)
1. light, lamp, small flame
A small, warm light, especially from a candle, oil lamp, or similar source. Often evokes a sense of warmth, hope, or nostalgia.
ろうそくの灯(ともしび)が揺(ゆ)れている。
The candlelight is flickering.
遠(とお)くに小(ちい)さな灯(ともしび)が見(み)えた。
A small light was visible in the distance.
暗闇(くらやみ)の中(なか)に灯(ともしび)がひとつ灯(とも)り、旅人(たびびと)は安堵(あんど)した。
A single light appeared in the darkness, and the traveler felt relieved.
2. light (figurative), beacon, glimmer
Used figuratively to refer to something that provides hope, guidance, or spiritual illumination.
彼女(かのじょ)の言葉(ことば)は希望(きぼう)の灯(ともしび)だった。
Her words were a beacon of hope.
戦争(せんそう)の中(なか)でも平和(へいわ)の灯(ともしび)を絶(た)やしてはならない。
Even in the midst of war, we must not let the light of peace go out.
困難(こんなん)な時代(じだい)にあっても、文化(ぶんか)の灯(ともしび)を守(まも)り続(つづ)けた人々(ひとびと)がいた。
Even in difficult times, there were people who continued to keep the light of culture alive.

Register

A literary and poetic word. In everyday speech, 明(あ)かり or 光(ひかり) is more common for "light." 灯(ともしび) evokes warmth, intimacy, and a gentle quality of light, and is frequently used in literary and figurative contexts.

Writing

The kanji 灯(ともしび) can also be read as ひ (as in 灯(ひ)をつける). The reading ともしび specifically refers to a gentle, flickering light source and carries a more literary tone.

Common collocations

general
Added 2026.2.24 20:38 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
13000/13410_tomoshibi