Translation guide
A beacon is a light or signal that guides or warns. In Japanese, the translation depends on whether it's a physical lighthouse, a radio transmitter, a metaphorical guide, or a warning signal.
A fixed light, such as a lighthouse or signal fire, used to guide ships or aircraft.
Refers specifically to a lighthouse or a beacon tower. The most common word for a navigational beacon.
その灯台は船を安全に導いた。
The beacon guided the ship to safety.
Loanword from English, used for modern electronic beacons (e.g., radio beacons, emergency beacons). Not typically used for traditional lighthouses.
登山者は緊急用ビーコンを持っていた。
The climber carried an emergency beacon.
A signal fire used historically for communication. Literary or historical context.
城から狼煙が上がった。
A beacon fire rose from the castle.
A device that emits radio waves or light pulses for navigation or location tracking.
Standard term for radio beacons, Bluetooth beacons, etc.
このアプリはビーコンを使って位置を特定する。
This app uses beacons to determine location.
A person, idea, or thing that serves as a guiding light or inspiration.
Literally 'guidepost', used metaphorically for something that shows the way. Natural for a guiding principle or person.
彼の言葉は私の人生の道標となった。
His words became a beacon in my life.
Literally 'light of hope'. Common phrase for a beacon of hope.
その慈善団体は被災者にとって希望の光だった。
The charity was a beacon of hope for the victims.
Poetic word for a light or lamp, used metaphorically for a guiding light. Literary nuance.
A light or device used to warn of danger.
General term for a warning light, such as on a vehicle or control panel.
車の警告灯が点滅した。
The car's warning beacon flashed.
A rotating beacon light, often used on emergency vehicles or construction sites.
灯台 is a traditional lighthouse or beacon tower, while ビーコン is used for modern electronic devices. Use 灯台 for historical or scenic contexts, and ビーコン for technology.
灯台の光が闇を照らした。
The beacon's light illuminated the darkness.
スマホがビーコンを検出した。
The smartphone detected the beacon.
Avoid directly translating 'beacon of hope' as 希望のビーコン. The natural phrase is 希望の光 (light of hope) or 道標 (guidepost).
Technical term for a radio beacon, often used in aviation or maritime contexts.
航空機は無線標識を頼りに飛行する。
Aircraft fly relying on radio beacons.
Her presence was a beacon in the darkness.
I saw the police car's beacon.