影
[ka̠ɡe̞]
kage is the Japanese word for shadow.
The primary meaning of 影 is the dark area or shape produced by an object blocking light. Beyond this physical shadow, it can also be used metaphorically to refer to a person's figure, a silhouette or a trace of something.
What does it mean word for word?
The kanji used for 影 consists of the radical for 'sun' (日) and a phonetic component.
Did you know?
- In many contexts, particularly in older literature, the word kage can also mean 'light' or 'radiance'.
- The term kage-guchi refers to 'backbiting' or speaking ill of someone, literally translating to 'shadow mouth' because the speaking happens behind the person's back.
- The word kage is a cognate of the word kage written as 陰, though they use different kanji to distinguish between a cast shadow and a shaded area.
Examples in context
- 木の影の下で休みましょう。Ki no kage no shita de yasumimashou.Let's rest under the shadow of the tree.
- 壁に大きな影が映っています。Kabe ni ookina kage ga utsutte imasu.A large shadow is cast on the wall.
- 夕方の影がとても長いです。Yuugata no kage ga totemo nagai desu.The evening shadows are very long.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are walking outside on a sunny day.
- 結衣 Yui今日は日差しがとても強いね。Kyō wa hizashi ga totemo tsuyoi ne.The sunlight is very strong today, isn't it?
- 健太 Kenta本当だね。あの影に入ろうか。Hontō da ne. Ano kage ni hairō ka.You're right. Shall we move into that shadow?
- 結衣 Yuiいい考えだね。ずっと暑かったから。Ii kangae da ne. Zutto atsukatta kara.That's a good idea. It's been hot for a while.
- 健太 Kentaここなら涼しくて気持ちいいよ。Koko nara suzushikute kimochi ii yo.It's cool and feels good here.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 影, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 影, CC BY-SA 4.0.
