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What is the Kanji for 'Shine' and 'Illuminate'? | 照

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Shine' and 'Illuminate', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Shine' and 'Illuminate' is 照.

    kanji

    照

    Meaning

    Shine, Illuminate

    Reading

    kunyomiて

    te

    onyomiしょう

    shou

    Parts

    火Fire 昭Shining

    Example Word

    照らす: illuminate. The Japanese verb '照らす (てらす)' means 'to illuminate' or 'to shine a light on'. It is used to describe the action of casting light on something, making it visible or bright. This verb can be used both literally, such as shining a light on an object, and metaphorically, such as shedding light on a situation or idea. For example: The moon illuminates the night「月が夜を照らす」(つきがよるをてらす). The new evidence illuminated the truth「新しい証拠が真実を照らした」(あたらしいしょうこがしんじつをてらした). Note that '照らす' is often used in contexts where light reveals or clarifies something.

    Radical

    火

    Stroke Count

    13

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    4

    Frequency

    703

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 照

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    火

    Meaning

    Fire

    kanji

    昭

    Meaning

    Shining

Words Using 照

This kanji is used in 3 words:

    word

    参照

    Meaning

    Reference

    word

    対照

    Meaning

    Contrast

    word

    照らす

    Meaning

    Illuminate

Kanji Related to 照 Through the Part 火

These 20 kanji contain the part 火 as well.

    kanji

    秋

    Meaning

    Autumn

    kanji

    然

    Meaning

    Sort of thing, In that case

    kanji

    焼

    Meaning

    Burn, Bake

    kanji

    災

    Meaning

    Calamity

    kanji

    燃

    Meaning

    Burn

    kanji

    燥

    Meaning

    Dry, Parch, Dry up

    kanji

    畑

    Meaning

    Field

    kanji

    灯

    Meaning

    Light, Lamp

    kanji

    灰

    Meaning

    Ashes

    kanji

    熟

    Meaning

    Ripe, Mature

    kanji

    煙

    Meaning

    Smoke

    kanji

    爆

    Meaning

    Burst, Explode

    kanji

    淡

    Meaning

    Thin, Light

    kanji

    炊

    Meaning

    Boil, Cook

    kanji

    憎

    Meaning

    Hate

    kanji

    焦

    Meaning

    Char, Scorch

    kanji

    煮

    Meaning

    Boil

    kanji

    炉

    Meaning

    Furnace

    kanji

    炎

    Meaning

    Flame, Blaze

    kanji

    煩

    Meaning

    Vexed, Anxiety

Learn the Kanji 照

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 照 mean?

照 means 'Shine' and 'Illuminate'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Fourth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N2 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.