陰 影(いんえい)

いんえい

noun

shadow; shading; nuance

1. shadow; shade; shading

The interplay of light and shadow on a surface, especially in art, photography, or visual description. Refers to the gradation between light and dark areas.

絵(え)に陰影(いんえい)をつける。

Add shading to a painting.

午後(ごご)の光(ひかり)が建物(たてもの)に美(うつく)しい陰影(いんえい)を作(つく)り出(だ)していた。

The afternoon light was creating beautiful shadows on the building.

この写真(しゃしん)は陰影(いんえい)の使(つか)い方(かた)が見事(みごと)だ。

The use of light and shadow in this photograph is magnificent.

2. nuance; depth; complexity

Figuratively, subtle depth or complexity in a person's character, expression, or artistic work. Suggests layers of meaning beneath the surface.

彼(かれ)の表情(ひょうじょう)には深(ふか)い陰影(いんえい)がある。

There is a deep complexity in his expression.

苦労(くろう)を重(かさ)ねた人生(じんせい)が、彼女(かのじょ)の言葉(ことば)に陰影(いんえい)を与(あた)えている。

A life of accumulated hardship gives depth and nuance to her words.

この小説(しょうせつ)は登場人物(とうじょうじんぶつ)の心理(しんり)に豊(ゆた)かな陰影(いんえい)を描(えが)き出(だ)している。

This novel depicts rich psychological nuance in its characters.

Usage

In its literal sense (sense 1), 陰影(いんえい) is used in art, photography, and visual description to refer to shading and the contrast between light and dark. In its figurative sense (sense 2), it describes emotional or psychological depth.

Common collocations

陰影(いんえい)をつける (to add shading)
陰影(いんえい)が濃(こ)い (deep shadows; rich nuance)
陰影(いんえい)に富(と)む (rich in nuance/depth)
陰影(いんえい)を帯(お)びる (to take on depth/shadow)

Similar words

陰影(いんえい): shadow/shading (artistic); nuance (figurative)
影(かげ): shadow (everyday word, cast by an object)
日陰(ひかげ): shade (out of direct sunlight)
明暗(めいあん): light and dark; contrast

Related Words

Related: 影(かげ) (shadow)

Related: 陰(かげ) (shade, hidden side)

Compare: 日陰(ひかげ) (shade)

Compare: 明暗(めいあん) (light and dark)

Compare: 光影(こうえい) (light and shadow)

general

Added 2026.3.2 17:25 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

14500/14602_inei