Meaning
The kanji 灯 (tō/hi) is fundamental for discussing 'light' or 'lamp' in Japanese. While it shares conceptual space with kanji like 光 (general light or ray) and 明 (brightness, light), 灯 specifically refers to a contained light source or a lamp itself. Think of it as the physical object that emits light, or the light emanating from such an object, such as an electric lamp, a lighthouse, or even a street light.
Its visual structure is quite insightful. 灯 consists of two main parts: the radical 火 (fire) at the bottom, and the component 丁 at the top. The 火 radical clearly depicts a flame, directly indicating this kanji's connection to fire or illumination.
Historically, the component 丁 acted as a phonetic element, giving the kanji its 'tō' sound. Some etymological interpretations also suggest 丁 could represent a nail or a block. This might symbolize a fixed stand or device upon which a flame rests, providing a steady source of light. Thus, when you look at 灯, you can almost imagine a small fire or flame (火) fixed or standing (丁) as a light source. This clear connection between its visual form and its meaning makes 灯 relatively straightforward to remember.
This kanji has a total of 6 strokes, making it relatively simple to write. Classified as a Grade 6 Jōyō kanji, it is typically learned by students in Japanese elementary schools. Mastering 灯 is key to accurately describing various types of lighting and illuminated objects in everyday Japanese.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
On'yomi readings are derived from Chinese pronunciations and are most commonly used when 灯 appears as part of a compound word. For 灯, the primary On'yomi is トウ.
トウ
This reading is frequently encountered in many everyday words related to artificial light. You’ll find it in terms for different kinds of lamps, beacons, and even actions related to lighting.
- 電灯 (dentō) — electric light; lamp. This is one of the most common compounds, referring to any electric light fixture. For example, 「部屋の電灯をつける」 (heya no dentō o tsukeru) means "to turn on the room's electric light."
- 灯台 (tōdai) — lighthouse. A crucial structure for maritime navigation, its name directly uses 灯. For instance, 「灯台の光が船を導く」 (tōdai no hikari ga fune o michibiku) means "The lighthouse's light guides ships."
- 街灯 (gaitō) — street light. These lights illuminate our roads and sidewalks at night. You might hear 「街灯がともる」 (gaitō ga tomoru) meaning "street lights come on."
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Kun'yomi readings are native Japanese pronunciations associated with the kanji's meaning. They often appear when the kanji stands alone, or with okurigana (送り仮名). For 灯, the primary Kun'yomi readings are ひ and ほ-. However, they are less commonly used alone than the On'yomi, frequently appearing in specific phrases or as part of other words.
ひ
While 火 is the standard kanji for "fire," 灯 can sometimes take the reading ひ when specifically referring to the flame of a lamp or a light source that can be extinguished or ignited. This usage emphasizes the small flame or controlled light itself, rather than the entire apparatus.
- 灯を消す (hi o kesu) — to turn off the light/lamp. This phrase emphasizes extinguishing the actual flame or light source. 「寝る前に灯を消してください」 (neru mae ni hi o keshite kudasai) means "Please turn off the light before sleeping."
- 灯をともす (hi o tomosu) — to light a lamp/fire. This refers to the act of igniting a light source. For example, 「暗い部屋に灯をともす」 (kurai heya ni hi o tomosu) means "to light a lamp in a dark room."
ほ-
This Kun'yomi is much rarer for 灯 and is not typically used on its own in modern Japanese. It is more commonly associated with the older or more complex kanji 燈 (which is a variant of 灯) in words like 燈火 (tomoshibi), meaning lamplight or candle flame. When 灯 is used with this sound, it often implies a faint, flickering light, or appears in archaic expressions. You will rarely encounter this reading in everyday modern Japanese.
Common Words & Compounds
Expand your vocabulary with these essential words and compounds that use 灯. You'll find this kanji in a wide array of terms, from everyday appliances to navigational aids.
Everyday Lighting & Appliances
- 電灯 (dentō) — Electric light; lamp. This is your standard light bulb or light fixture.
- 蛍光灯 (keikōtō) — Fluorescent lamp. Commonly found in offices and kitchens.
- 裸電灯 (hadaka dentō) — Bare light bulb. An exposed light bulb without a shade.
- 常夜灯 (jōyatō) — Night-light; always-on light. A small light kept on overnight.
- 懐中電灯 (kaichūdentō) — Flashlight; torch. An indispensable tool during power outages.
Public & Navigational Lights
- 街灯 (gaitō) — Street light; lamppost. The lights that brighten urban and suburban streets.
- 信号灯 (shingōtō) — Signal light. Any light used for signaling, such as traffic lights or railway signals.
- 灯台 (tōdai) — Lighthouse. A towering structure with a powerful light to guide ships.
- 航海灯 (kōkaitō) — Navigation light. Lights required on vessels for safe navigation at night.
- 投光灯 (tōkōtō) — Floodlight; searchlight. Powerful lights used to illuminate large areas or for search and rescue.
Actions & States Related to Light
- 消灯 (shōtō) — Turning off lights; lights out. Often used in formal contexts or instructions.
- 点灯 (tentō) — Turning on lights; lighting up. The opposite of 消灯.
- 灯り (akari) — Light; lamplight. This is a common Kun'yomi usage where 灯 is written with okurigana. 「部屋に灯りがともる」 (heya no akari ga tomoru) means "A light comes on in the room."
- 灯油 (tōyu) — Kerosene. Historically used as fuel for oil lamps.
- 万灯 (mandō) — Ten thousand lights; a festival of lights. Refers to a grand display of many lamps or lanterns.
Example Sentences
部屋の灯りをつけました。
Heya no akari o tsukemashita.
I turned on the light in the room.
夜になると、街に美しい街灯がともります。
Yoru ni naru to, machi ni utsukushii gaitō ga tomorimasu.
When night falls, beautiful streetlights light up the town.
停電で、懐中電灯の灯が頼りになりました。
Teiden de, kaichūdentō no hi ga tayori ni narimashita.
During the power outage, we relied on the flashlight's light.
灯台の光が遠くの船を導きます。
Tōdai no hikari ga tōku no fune o michibiku.
The lighthouse's beam guides distant ships.
電気を消灯して、節電に協力しましょう。
Denki o shōtō shite, setsuden ni kyōryoku shimashō.
Let's turn off the lights and cooperate with power saving.
古い神社の石灯籠に蝋燭の灯が揺れていました。
Furui jinja no ishidōrō ni rōsoku no tomoshibi ga yurete imashita.
The candlelight flickered in the stone lantern of the old shrine.
常夜灯のおかげで、夜中でも安心して眠れます。
Jōyatō no okage de, yonaka demo anshin shite nemuremasu.
Thanks to the night-light, I can sleep peacefully even in the middle of the night.
危険を知らせるために、赤い警告灯が点滅しています。
Kiken o shiraseru tame ni, akai keikokutō ga tenmetsu shite imasu.
A red warning light is flashing to signal danger.
太陽の光がないと、電気の灯りが生活に不可欠です。
Taiyō no hikari ga nai to, denki no akari ga seikatsu ni fukaketsu desu.
Without sunlight, electric light is indispensable for daily life.
薄暗い路地に一軒だけ灯りが点いていました。
Usugurai roji ni ikken dake akari ga tomoite imashita.
Only one house had a light on in the dim alley.
Memory Tip
Remembering 灯 can be straightforward! Visualize the kanji as a small fire (火, the bottom radical) standing on a little stand or block (丁, the top component). Imagine a tiny, steady flame – perhaps a candle or a small lamp – providing light in the darkness. The 'fire' part clearly tells you it's about illumination, and the 'stand' part suggests a fixed, contained source of that light. So, when you see 灯, think of a "fire on a stand" or a "fixed light," and you'll easily recall its meaning of 'light' or 'lamp'. This visual mnemonic directly connects to its etymology and helps you grasp the character's meaning.