Translation guide
The emission of light by a substance not resulting from heat; a general term covering fluorescence, phosphorescence, bioluminescence, and chemiluminescence. In everyday Japanese, specific terms are more common than the broad scientific word.
The physical phenomenon of cold light emission, used in scientific or technical contexts.
The direct loanword for 'luminescence', used in physics and chemistry. Neutral register.
This substance exhibits luminescence under ultraviolet light.
Literally 'cold light', a native Japanese term for luminescence. Less common than the loanword, but understandable in technical writing.
The firefly's luminescence is due to an enzymatic reaction.
Light emission during excitation, common in everyday items like highlighters and black-light posters.
The standard term for fluorescence. Used in science and everyday contexts (e.g., fluorescent lamps, highlighters).
I marked the important parts with a fluorescent highlighter.
Light emission that continues after the excitation source is removed, like glow-in-the-dark stars.
The scientific term for phosphorescence. Also used for glow-in-the-dark products.
A watch dial using phosphorescent paint.
Literally 'stored light', often used for glow-in-the-dark materials that absorb light and re-emit it slowly. Common in product descriptions.
Light produced by living organisms, such as fireflies, glowworms, or deep-sea creatures.
Light emission from a chemical reaction, like glow sticks.
The standard term for chemiluminescence. Used in chemistry and for products like glow sticks.
Glow sticks utilize the principle of chemiluminescence.
Loanword for chemiluminescence, less common than 化学発光.
Detection by chemiluminescence method.
Light emission from an electric current or field, used in LEDs and EL panels.
The standard term for electroluminescence. Used in electronics and display technology.
OLEDs are displays that utilize electroluminescence.
Light produced by friction or crushing, like when peeling adhesive tape or crushing sugar crystals.
The standard term for triboluminescence. Used in physics.
The phenomenon of triboluminescence when peeling off tape.
Loanword for triboluminescence, less common.
Triboluminescence has been known since ancient times.
In everyday conversation, Japanese speakers rarely use the broad term 'ルミネセンス'. Instead, they use specific words like 蛍光 (fluorescence) for highlighters, 蓄光 (phosphorescence) for glow-in-the-dark items, or 生物発光 (bioluminescence) for fireflies. Use the specific term that matches the context.
This watch dial is luminescent (glow-in-the-dark).
蛍光 (fluorescence) emits light only while excited; 燐光 (phosphorescence) continues emitting after excitation stops; 蓄光 (stored light) is a common term for phosphorescent materials that charge under light and glow in the dark. In product descriptions, 蓄光 is often preferred over 燐光 for glow-in-the-dark items.
This mineral fluoresces under ultraviolet light.
蓄光シールを天井に貼った。
I stuck glow-in-the-dark stickers on the ceiling.
Loanword for electroluminescence, often abbreviated as EL.
Electroluminescent panels are thin and lightweight.