影
kage[ka̠ɡe̞]
The English word 'shadows' is translated into Japanese as 影 (kage).
影 is used to refer to a shadow or shadows.
Which one should you use?
The word 影 refers specifically to a silhouette or the shape cast by an object. In contrast, the term 陰 (also read as kage or in) refers to the shaded area or the darkness itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 影 is used for both singular and plural 'shadow' or 'shadows' without changing its form.
Did you know?
- The term 影 is used in the word 映画 (eiga) for 'movie', where it literally translates to 'shadow picture'.
- The phrase 影が薄い literally means 'the shadow is thin', but it is used idiomatically to describe a person with a weak presence who is easily ignored by others.
- In Japanese folklore, some spirits or monsters are said to have no 影, which is a primary way for a character to realize they are dealing with a supernatural entity.
Examples in context
- 影の支配者はメアリーだった。The person ruling from the shadows was Mary.This sentence is useful for describing a person ruling from the shadows using 影.Tatoeba #4301767 by small_snow, translation #7274415 by awkwardcultism
- 二匹の狐は森の方へ帰って行きました。月が出たので、狐の毛なみが銀色に光り、その足あとには、コバルトの影がたまりました。With their fur coats tinged full of glistening silver and their shadows imbued with cobalt, the two foxes returned back to the forest under the moonlit night.This sentence describes how shadows were imbued with cobalt using 影.Tatoeba #3684338 by tommy_san, translation #10067921 by tsp_2
- 陰影に気をつけてみたのですがなかなかうまくいかないです。I tried to take care with the shadows, but it just doesn't go very well.This sentence is useful for discussing the difficulty of taking care with the shadows using 影.Tatoeba #74316 by fcbond, translation #329404 by fcbond
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are walking in a park during a sunny afternoon.
- 結衣 Yui見て、木の下に大きな影があるよ。Mite, ki no shita ni ookina kage ga aru yo.Look, there is a large shadow under the tree.
- 健太 Kenta本当だ。誰かの影かな？Hontou da. Dareka no kage kana?You're right. I wonder if it's someone's shadow?
- 結衣 Yui健太くん、あそこに影が動いたよ！Kenta-kun, asoko ni kage ga ugoita yo!Kenta, a shadow moved over there!
- 健太 Kentaあ、猫の影だったみたいだね。A, neko no kage datta mitai da ne.Ah, it looks like it was a cat's shadow.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 影, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
