電気を消して
denki o keshite
To turn off the light in Japanese, you say 電気を消して (denki o keshite).
This phrase is used to request that a lamp or light fixture be stopped from shining by using a switch. While the word for light used here literally means electricity, it is the standard way to refer to the lights in a room.
What does it mean word for word?
電気 means electricity and 消して means to turn off or extinguish. The verb 消して is the same verb used for extinguishing a fire or erasing something.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 電気を消して functions as a casual command or request.
How do you pronounce it?
denki o keshite
Did you know?
- To say the light 'went out' on its own, Japanese uses the intransitive version 消える which is also the word for 'to vanish' or 'disappear'.
- The verb 消す is used for both flipping a light switch and rubbing out a pencil mark with an eraser.
- In many Japanese homes, the phrase is often used as a signal that it is time for everyone to go to sleep or end a gathering.
Examples in context
- 電気を消してください。Please turn off the light.This sentence is useful for practicing a polite request to turn off the light.Tatoeba #1171972 by bunbuku, translation #29826 by CK
- 寝る前に電気を消してください。Turn off the light before you go to bed.Tatoeba #145648 by bunbuku, translation #268914 by CK
- 寝る前には電気を消してくださいね。Please turn off the light before you go to bed.Tatoeba #9073686 by small_snow, translation #268915 by CK
- あのう、電気を消してください。Excuse me, could you please turn off the light?
- 大変お手数ですが、電灯を消していただけますか。I'm terribly sorry to bother you, but could you please turn off the light for me?
- おい、電気を消してよ。Hey, turn off the light, will you?
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A living room where Kenta is getting ready for bed.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さん、そろそろ寝る？Kenta-san, soro soro neru?Kenta, are you going to bed soon?
- 健太 Kentaうん、あ、電気を消して。Un, a, denki o keshite.Yeah, oh, turn off the light.
- 陽葵 Himariわかった、消すね。Wakatta, kesu ne.Okay, I'll turn it off.
- 健太 Kentaありがとう、おやすみ。Arigatou, oyasumi.Thanks, good night.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
