How to Say "Shadow" in Japanese

影

[ka̠ɡe̞]

The English word "shadow" is translated into Japanese as 影.

影 refers to the dark area produced by an obstacle blocking light, as well as the silhouette or image of a person or object.

Meaning: area protected by an obstacle (noun)

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In Japanese folklore, the 影 is sometimes viewed as a separate entity or a mirror of the soul. Losing one's 影 is often a literary sign of losing one's humanity or becoming a ghost.
The phrase 影が薄い literally means 'the shadow is thin' but is used idiomatically to describe someone with a weak presence who is easily ignored by others.
The kanji 影 can be read as ei in compound words, such as in 映画 ('movie'). In this context, it refers to the 'shadows' or images projected onto a screen.

それは影だよ。
It's a shadow.
This example shows how to identify a shadow using 影.
Tatoeba #11065687 by small_snow, translation #1464161 by sundown
影に驚いてしまいました。
I was taken aback at the shadow.
This example illustrates being startled by a shadow using 影.
Tatoeba #189344 by KK_kaku_, translation #26492 by slyfin
彼女は自分の影におびえる。
She is afraid of her own shadow.
This example describes being afraid of one's own shadow using 影.
Tatoeba #89069 by bunbuku, translation #314637 by royhuggins
影が長くなる。
The shadow becomes longer.
影を追いかける。
To chase after one's shadow.
影絵を見る。
To watch shadow play.
5 more sentences on Tatoeba

Hiroto and Misaki are walking outside on a sunny day.

大翔 Hiroto

暑いから、影に入ろう。
Atsui kara, kage ni hairou.
It's hot, so let's get into the shade.
美咲 Misaki

そうだね。あそこの木の影がいいよ。
Sou da ne. Asoko no ki no kage ga ii yo.
You're right. The shadow of that tree over there is good.
大翔 Hiroto

ここなら涼しいね。
Koko nara suzushii ne.
It's cool here.
美咲 Misaki

本当だ。ずっとここにいたいね。
Hontou da. Zutto koko ni itai ne.
True. I want to stay here forever.

Sources

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