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The meaning of hikari (光) in Japanese and how to use it

This article will give you all of the knowledge you need on the Japanese word hikari, including its Japanese definition and translation, example sentences, alternative expressions, and more!

What does hikari mean?

Hikari (光、ひかり) means light or ray in Japanese. Hikari is a noun based on the verb hikaru (光る、ひかる), to shine. Like in English, hikari can be either literal (physical light) or metaphorical (“a light in my life” or a form of hope).

Taiyou no hikari (太陽の光) means sunlight or sunshine. This literally translates as light of the sun (taiyou = the sun, no = possessive particle for “of”). Hi no hikari (日の光) has a similar meaning.

Below, we take a look at some examples of how to use hikari and taiyou no hikari in Japanese. But first, a little music!

Hikari: A bright blast from the past

The song Hikari by Hikaru Utada is one of my favorite J-pop tunes of the 00s, if not of all time.

Give it a listen!

どんな時だって Donna toki datte
側にいるから Soba ni iru kara
君という光が私を見つける Kimi to iu hikari ga watashi wo mitsukeru
真夜中に Mayonaka ni
—
No matter what the time
You’re by my side
So you are the light that finds me
In the middle of the night

Hikari: Hikaru Utada

Example sentences using hikari

Hikari is the Japanese word for light or ray.

To make it easier for you, I have written each sentence in full Japanese kanji on the first line, followed by roman letters (romaji), and hiragana, with the English meaning coming last. I have also highlighted the new word in bold.

太陽の光は気持ちいい。
Taiyou no hikari wa kimochi ii.
たいようのひかりはきもちいい。
The sunlight feels nice.

朝は太陽の光が眩しい。
Asa wa taiyou no hikari ga mabushii.
あさはたいようのひかりがまぶしい。
The morning sunlight is bright.

月の光で本を読む事は目に悪い。
Tsuki no hikari de hon wo yomu koto ha me ni warui.
つきのひかりでほんをよむことはめにわるい。
It is bad for your eyes to read by moonlight.

光よりも速い物は知られていない。
Hikari yori mo hayai mono wa shirareteinai.
ひかりよりもはやいものはしられていない。
Nothing that we know of is faster than light.

春の日の光はかなり快適です。
Haru no hi no hikari wa kanari kaiteki desu.
はるのひのひかりはかなりかいてきです。
Sunshine in the spring is quite pleasant.

君は僕の光です。
Kimi wa boku no hikari desu.
きみはぼくのひかりです。
You are the light of my life (lit: you are my light).

Rohan
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Published by Rohan

Rohan is a professional Japanese translator and the author behind Tanukiki.com, a blog that offers Japanese language tips and insights on life in Japan. Rohan's favorite resource for learning Japanese is JapanesePod101, one of the best tools for getting started with the language. Sign up for a free lifetime account here.