Translation guide
The English word 'beam' covers several distinct meanings: a structural beam, a ray of light, a broad smile, and a radio signal. This guide helps learners express each meaning naturally in Japanese.
A long, sturdy piece of wood, steel, or concrete used in buildings.
The standard word for a horizontal beam in architecture and construction.
The beams in this house are very thick.
Often used for larger structural beams, especially in bridges or frameworks.
橋の桁が損傷している。
The bridge's beams are damaged.
A line or shaft of light.
General term for a ray or beam of light.
雲の間から光線が差し込んだ。
A beam of light shone through the clouds.
Loanword from English, often used in technical or sci-fi contexts (laser beam, etc.).
レーザービームを照射する。
Emit a laser beam.
Literary expression for a single beam or shaft of light.
暗闇に一条の光が差した。
A single beam of light pierced the darkness.
A wide, happy smile.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'a smile all over one's face', equivalent to 'beaming'.
彼女は満面の笑みを浮かべた。
She beamed with a broad smile.
Verb meaning 'to smile broadly/cheerfully', often used for a beaming expression.
赤ちゃんが私ににっこり笑った。
The baby beamed at me.
Literally 'make one's face shine', used when someone's face lights up with joy.
彼は嬉しそうに顔を輝かせた。
He beamed with happiness.
To send out a signal or broadcast.
General verb for transmitting a signal, message, or broadcast.
衛星が信号を発信している。
The satellite is beaming a signal.
Often used for sending data or radio waves, similar to 'transmit'.
データを地球に送信する。
Beam data back to Earth.
English 'beam' as a verb for smiling does not have a direct single-word Japanese equivalent. Use phrases like 満面の笑みを浮かべる or にっこり笑う instead of trying to translate 'beam' literally.