光
ray, light
Readings
On'yomi
- コウ
Kun'yomi
- ひか.る
- ひかり
Nanori
- あき
- あきら
- こお
- てる
- ひこ
- み
- みつ
Meaning
光 centers on visible radiance: a ray of light or light itself. The two given meanings are essentially the same concept at different scales.
Most common words using 光
24 of 613- 光ひかりN4
light
- 観光かんこうN3
sightseeing; tourism
- 光るひかるN4
to shine; to glitter; to be bright
- 光景こうけいN3
scene; spectacle; sight; view
- 日光にっこうN4
sunlight; sunshine; sunbeams
- 栄光えいこうN1
glory
- 光学こうがく
optics
- 光栄こうえい
honour; honor; glory; privilege
- 光線こうせんN2
ray (of light); beam; light
- 発光はっこう
emission (of light); radiation (of light); luminescence
- 光沢こうたくN1
brilliance; polish; lustre; luster; glossy finish
- 月光げっこうN1
moonlight; moonbeam
- 光年こうねん
light-year
- 陽光ようこう
sunshine; sunlight
- 光明こうみょう
bright light
- 脚光きゃっこう
footlight; limelight
- 電光でんこう
lightning
- 光り輝くひかりかがやく
to shine; to glitter
- 日光浴にっこうよくN1
sunbathing; basking in the sun
- 光輝こうき
brightness; splendour; splendor
- 光彩こうさい
brilliance; splendour; splendor; lustre; luster
- 蛍光灯けいこうとうN2
fluorescent lamp; fluorescent light
- 光熱費こうねつひN2
cost of fuel and lighting; cost of heat and electricity; energy bill; utility cost
- 観光スポットかんこうスポットN3
tourist attraction; sight-seeing area
Study
Etymology
光 is a pictograph of a person kneeling under a flame or light source, representing light or radiance. The modern form retains the top ⺌ (a simplified fire/light element) and the bottom 儿 (legs), though the original kneeling figure is now stylized.
Meaning mnemonic
The top ⺌ looks like a small flame or light, and the bottom 儿 resembles legs. Picture a person holding up a light, making rays shine out: 光 is light.
Reading mnemonic
For コウ, imagine a bright light shining on a coal (コウ) mine: coal -> コウ, and the light illuminates the dark mine.