光影(こうえい)

こうえい
noun
light and shadow; light and shade
1. light and shadow; light and shade
The interplay of light and darkness, especially as an artistic or aesthetic concept. Also used figuratively to describe the contrasting bright and dark aspects of something.
木漏(こも)れ日(び)の光影(こうえい)が美(うつく)しい。
The light and shadow of sunlight filtering through the trees is beautiful.
この絵(え)は光影(こうえい)の使(つか)い方(かた)が見事(みごと)だ。
The use of light and shadow in this painting is magnificent.
都会(とかい)の光影(こうえい)を捉(とら)えた写真集(しゃしんしゅう)が話題(わだい)を呼(よ)んでいる。
A photo collection capturing the light and shadow of the city is attracting attention.

A compound of 光(こう) (light) and 影(えい) (shadow). Refers to the contrast between light and dark, both literally and figuratively.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 光影(こうえい)の美(うつく)しさ: the beauty of light and shadow
  • 光影(こうえい)を捉(とら)える: to capture light and shadow
  • 光影(こうえい)のコントラスト: contrast of light and shadow

FIGURATIVE USE:
Can describe the contrasting aspects of life, a city, a person's career, etc. — the bright, successful side and the dark, difficult side.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 明暗(めいあん): light and dark — more commonly used figuratively for contrasting fortunes
  • 陰影(いんえい): shading, shadow — emphasizes the dark side; used in art for shading technique
  • 光(ひかり)と影(かげ): light and shadow — the everyday expression using native Japanese readings
general
Added 2026.4.4 7:15
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