射線 / 射线
shèxiàn
The English word "ray" can be translated into Chinese as either 射線 / 射线 (shèxiàn) or 光線 / 光线 depending on whether you are referring to radiation or light.
Meaning: beam of light or radiation (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 射線 / 射线 | shèxiàn |
| 光線 / 光线 | guāngxiàn |
In Chinese, the choice of word for "ray" depends entirely on the physical phenomenon being described. Use one term for scientific radiation and another for visible light.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 射線 / 射线 is composed of 射 (to shoot or emit) and 线 (line or thread).
Which one should you use?
Use 射線 / 射线 (shèxiàn) when referring to scientific rays or beams of radiation, such as X-rays. Use 光線 / 光线 (guāngxiàn) when referring to visible beams of light or the general quality of light in a space.
How do you pronounce it?
shèxiàn
Did you know?
- If you are describing a 'ray of hope', you would not use either of these terms. Chinese instead uses different metaphors, as both 射線 / 射线 and 光線 / 光线 are strictly tied to physical, measurable light or radiation.
- The character 射 / 射 in 射線 / 射线 means 'to shoot', the same character used for archery. This implies that a radiation ray is something being 'shot' from a source like an arrow.
- In modern slang, 光 can be used as a verb meaning 'to eat everything' or 'to clear a plate', leaving nothing behind.
Examples in context
- 瑞，请帮我递一下书好吗？Ray, could you please pass me the book?
- 嘿，雷，要不要一起去吃点东西？Hey Ray, want to go grab some food?
- X射线X-ray
- 阳光射出的光线The rays of light emitted by the sunlight.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ray” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
