灯火(とうか)

とうか
noun
lamplight; lights; illumination
formaldaily-life
1. lamplight; lights; illumination from a lamp or fire
Light from a lamp, candle, or other artificial source. A somewhat literary or formal term that evokes a warm, gentle quality of light.
灯火(とうか)管制(かんせい)が敷(し)かれた。
A blackout was imposed.
遠(とお)くに漁船(ぎょせん)の灯火(とうか)が見(み)えた。
I could see the lights of a fishing boat in the distance.
秋(あき)の夜長(よなが)に灯火(とうか)のもとで読書(どくしょ)を楽(たの)しむのが好(す)きだ。
I enjoy reading by lamplight during the long autumn nights.

Composed of 灯(とう) (lamp) + 火(か) (fire). A literary word with a warm, evocative quality. The expression 灯火(とうか)親(した)しむべし (literally 'lamp and fire should be enjoyed') from a Chinese poem describes autumn as the ideal season for reading by lamplight.

Common collocations

  • 灯火(とうか)管制(かんせい): blackout (wartime light restriction)
  • 灯火(とうか)親(した)しむべし秋(あき): autumn, the season for reading by lamplight
  • 灯火(とうか)のもとで: by lamplight

Similar words

  • 灯(あか)り: light, lamp — the everyday word for light or illumination
  • 明(あ)かり: light — the general word for any source of light
  • ともしび: lamplight — the native Japanese reading, more poetic; also written 灯火(ともしび)
  • 照明(しょうめい): lighting, illumination — a modern, practical term

Related Words

Compare: 灯(あか)り (light, lamp)
Compare: 明(あ)かり (light)
Compare: 照明(しょうめい) (lighting, illumination)
general
Added 2026.4.7 2:31 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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