Translation guide
A light source positioned to the side, or light coming from the side. In Japanese, this is typically expressed with compound nouns or descriptive phrases.
Describing light that comes from a side direction, often in photography, art, or everyday situations.
Referring to a physical lamp or lighting unit mounted on a side surface, such as on a vehicle, building, or stage.
Commonly used for side marker lights on vehicles or side lamps in interiors.
車のサイドランプが切れている。
The car's side light is out.
Metaphorical use, as in 'a side light on history', meaning additional or less important information.
Means 'supplementary information'. Natural in formal and informal contexts.
この本は歴史の補足情報を提供している。
This book provides side lights on history.
A direct loanword from English, commonly used in photography, film, and interior design contexts.
ポートレートにはサイドライトが効果的です。
Side light is effective for portraits.
A natural Japanese phrase meaning 'light from the side'. Suitable for everyday conversation.
横からの光で顔の半分が明るくなった。
Half of the face became bright from the side light.
A technical term used in photography and lighting design. Less common in daily speech.
側光を使うと立体感が増します。
Using side light increases the sense of depth.
A casual way to refer to a light on the side, using the Japanese word for 'side' and the loanword 'light'.
棚の横のライトをつけてください。
Please turn on the side light of the shelf.
Means 'digression' or 'side note'. Used when adding a casual, often interesting, side comment.
余談ですが、彼は昔画家でした。
As a side light, he used to be a painter.