Translation guide
The English word "eclipse" refers to an astronomical event where one celestial body moves into the shadow of another. In Japanese, the most common and direct equivalent is 食 (しょく), often combined with the specific type. This guide covers how to talk about solar and lunar eclipses, related verbs, and metaphorical uses.
To refer to an eclipse in general, or to ask/say that an eclipse is happening.
The general term for an eclipse. Often used in compounds like 日食 (solar eclipse) or 月食 (lunar eclipse).
You can see an eclipse today.
An older or more literary kanji for eclipse, sometimes used in traditional contexts. 食 is preferred in modern Japanese.
古い文献には「蝕」と書かれている。
In old documents, it is written as '蝕'.
To talk specifically about an eclipse of the sun.
The standard word for a solar eclipse.
来月、日本で部分日食が見られます。
Next month, a partial solar eclipse will be visible in Japan.
To talk specifically about an eclipse of the moon.
The standard word for a lunar eclipse.
今夜は月食があるそうです。
I heard there's a lunar eclipse tonight.
To describe one celestial body moving in front of another, or to block light.
A natural way to say that one object hides or covers another. Use the object doing the hiding as the subject.
月が太陽を隠すと、日食になります。
When the moon hides the sun, it becomes a solar eclipse.
Literally 'to cross in front of'. Used for transits or eclipses.
金星が太陽の前を横切りました。
Venus crossed in front of the sun.
To say that someone or something surpasses or outshines another.
Means 'to surpass' or 'to outdo'. Commonly used for achievements, records, or qualities.
彼の新記録は前の記録を凌いだ。
His new record eclipsed the previous one.
Means 'to exceed' or 'to be greater than'. Often used for numbers, expectations, or performance.
売り上げが予想を大きく上回った。
Sales greatly eclipsed expectations.
Literally 'to make someone's shadow thin', meaning to overshadow or eclipse someone's presence or influence.
新人の活躍がベテランの影を薄くした。
The rookie's success eclipsed the veteran's presence.
日食 (にっしょく) is a solar eclipse, while 月食 (げっしょく) is a lunar eclipse. The kanji 日 means 'sun' and 月 means 'moon'. Both use the same second character 食 (eclipse).
The loanword エクリプス exists but is rarely used in everyday Japanese. Stick with 食 (しょく) or the specific compounds.
A total solar eclipse. 皆既 means 'total' in astronomical contexts.
皆既日食はとても珍しい現象です。
A total solar eclipse is a very rare phenomenon.
An annular solar eclipse, where a ring of the sun is visible.
金環日食のときは、太陽がリングのように見えます。
During an annular solar eclipse, the sun looks like a ring.
A total lunar eclipse.
皆既月食の間、月は赤く見えます。
During a total lunar eclipse, the moon looks red.