光線
kōsen[ko̞ːsẽ̞ɴ]
The English word beam can be translated into Japanese as 光線 (kōsen) or ビーム.
Meaning: ray (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 光線 | kōsen | [ko̞ːsẽ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
| ビーム | bīmu |
The term is used to describe a beam or ray of light. Depending on the context, you might use a technical term for physical light or a loanword to describe a fictional energy attack.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 光線 is composed of 光, meaning light and 線, meaning line, literally translating to a 'light line'.
Which one should you use?
光線 is a formal term used to describe a ray or beam of light in scientific, technical or general physical descriptions. In contrast, the katakana loanword ビーム is typically used in the context of science fiction, video games or anime to describe a directed energy blast.
How do you pronounce it?
kōsen
When do people say it?
In Japanese pop culture, ビーム is often used as a noun to name a specific character's attack or special move.
Did you know?
- The kanji 線 in 光線 is also used in 路線 to describe a train line or route, showing how the concept of a 'line' extends from physics to urban transit.
- The term 光線 can be used to describe things like 'X-rays' (X線 is common, but X光線 is the technical root), showing how the 'line' component is central to the concept of radiation.
- Because ビーム is a phonetic transcription of the English 'beam', it is often used to describe much more fantastical or non-existent energy types than the literal English word suggests.
Examples in context
- The spaceship emitted a powerful ビーム (biimu) of light, illuminating the dark night sky.The spaceship emitted a powerful beam (biimu) of light, illuminating the dark night sky.
- 強力な光線が放たれた。Kyōryoku na kōsen ga hanatareta.A powerful ray was released.
- その光線はとても眩しい。Sono kōsen wa totemo mabushii.That ray is very bright.
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are looking at a science exhibit.
- 陽太 Yota見て、きれいな光線が出ているよ。Mite, kireina kousen ga dete iru yo.Look, a beautiful beam of light is coming out.
- 結衣 Yui本当だね。どこに向かっているのかな。Hontou da ne. Doko ni mukatte iru no kana.You're right. I wonder where it's heading.
- 陽太 Yotaあっちの鏡に当たっているみたいだ。Acchi no kagami ni atatte iru mitai da.It looks like it's hitting that mirror over there.
- 結衣 Yuiすごい仕組みだね、陽太くん。Sugoi shikumi da ne, Youta-kun.That's an amazing mechanism, Yota.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beam” translations and entries 光線, ビーム, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
