灯ともす

と

も

す

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

灯す · godan verb (-su)

Meanings

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

Used for lighting a candle, lamp, or turning on a light. The reading とぼす is a less common variant.

〈物もの〉に火ひを灯ともすto light a flame in/on something (e.g. a candle)
ろうそくに火ひを灯ともした。
I lit the candle.
〈場ば所しょ〉に明あかりを灯ともすto light up a place (e.g. a room)
暗くらい部屋へやに明あかりを灯ともした。
I lit a light in the dark room.
〈人ひと〉の心こころに〈物もの〉を灯ともすto kindle something (e.g. hope) in someone's heart
彼かの女じょの言こと葉ばが私わたしの心こころに希き望ぼうを灯ともした。
Her words kindled hope in my heart.

灯ともる
灯る is the intransitive partner meaning a light or flame becomes lit, while 灯す is the transitive verb meaning someone lights it.

つけるN5
つける is the general, everyday verb for switching on any light or appliance, while 灯す is more literary and typically used for lighting a flame, candle, or lamp.
点てん灯とう
点灯する is a formal, technical term for turning on a light (often seen on signs or in instructions), whereas 灯す has a softer, more literary feel and is often used for flames.
つけるN4
点ける is the common everyday verb for switching on a light or fire, while 灯す is a more literary word specifically for lighting a lamp or flame.

消けすN5
消す means to extinguish or turn off a light or flame, the direct opposite of 灯す, which means to light or turn one on.

灯すUsage35%
- ともす
  Standard kanji spelling for lighting a candle, lamp, or light.
- とぼす
ともすUsage59%
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing when the kanji is not needed.
点すUsage5%
rarely-used kanji form
- ともす
  Rarely used kanji form; 灯す is strongly preferred.
- とぼす
とぼすUsage1%
燈ともすUsage<1%
search-only kanji form
Search-only traditional form; not used in modern writing.

A native Japanese verb attested from early Japanese, with the older variant とぼす. 灯す and 点す are meaning-based spellings for lighting a flame or lamp.