Translation guide
How to express 'cast a shadow' in Japanese, covering literal shadows, figurative influence, and emotional gloom.
Describing when an object or person blocks light and creates a shadow on a surface.
The most direct and common way to say 'cast a shadow'. Used for both literal and figurative shadows.
木が地面に長い影を落としている。
The tree is casting a long shadow on the ground.
建物が公園に影を落としている。
The building casts a shadow over the park.
Literally 'a shadow forms'. Often used when the shadow itself is the subject, or when describing the presence of a shadow.
この時間は窓から影ができる。
At this time, a shadow is cast from the window.
A more literary or poetic way to say 'cast a shadow', emphasizing the action of throwing a shadow.
夕日が山々に長い影を投げかけていた。
The setting sun cast long shadows over the mountains.
Expressing that something spoils a situation, causes worry, or creates a dark mood.
The same phrase as the literal meaning, but used figuratively. Very common for describing a pall or gloom over something.
その事件は地域全体に暗い影を落とした。
The incident cast a dark shadow over the entire community.
彼の死は家族に深い影を落としている。
His death has cast a deep shadow over the family.
Literally 'to cast dark clouds'. A metaphorical expression for casting a shadow over a situation, often implying uncertainty or trouble.
そのスキャンダルは政権に暗雲を投げかけた。
The scandal cast a shadow over the administration.
Means 'to show signs of a shadow' or 'to become clouded'. Used when a previously bright situation starts to be overshadowed.
経済成長に陰りを見せ始めた。
Economic growth has begun to cast a shadow.
When one thing overshadows another, making it seem less impressive or important.
Literally 'to make a shadow thin'. Means to overshadow or make something seem less prominent. Often used in the passive form 影が薄くなる.
彼の成功はチームメイトの活躍の影を薄くした。
His success cast a shadow over his teammates' achievements.
Means 'to become hazy' or 'to be overshadowed'. Used when something pales in comparison to something else.
彼女の才能の前では他の選手は霞んで見える。
Other players are cast in the shadow of her talent.
影を落とす focuses on the action of casting a shadow (transitive), while 影ができる describes the state of a shadow being present (intransitive). Use 影を落とす when you want to emphasize what is causing the shadow.
雲が影を落としている。
The clouds are casting a shadow.
地面に影ができている。
There is a shadow on the ground.
Do not use verbs like 投げる (throw) or キャストする for 'cast' in this context. The natural collocation is 影を落とす.