Translation guide
The emission of light by a substance not resulting from heat; a general term covering fluorescence, phosphorescence, bioluminescence, and chemiluminescence. In everyday Japanese, specific terms are more common than the broad scientific word.
The physical phenomenon of cold light emission, used in scientific or technical contexts.
The direct loanword for 'luminescence', used in physics and chemistry. Neutral register.
この物質は紫外線でルミネセンスを示す。
This substance exhibits luminescence under ultraviolet light.
Literally 'cold light', a native Japanese term for luminescence. Less common than the loanword, but understandable in technical writing.
ホタルの冷光は酵素反応による。
The firefly's luminescence is due to an enzymatic reaction.
Light emission during excitation, common in everyday items like highlighters and black-light posters.
The standard term for fluorescence. Used in science and everyday contexts (e.g., fluorescent lamps, highlighters).
蛍光ペンで重要な部分に印をつけた。
I marked the important parts with a fluorescent highlighter.
この鉱物は紫外線で蛍光を発する。
This mineral fluoresces under ultraviolet light.
Light emission that continues after the excitation source is removed, like glow-in-the-dark stars.
The scientific term for phosphorescence. Also used for glow-in-the-dark products.
燐光塗料を使った時計の文字盤。
A watch dial using phosphorescent paint.
Literally 'stored light', often used for glow-in-the-dark materials that absorb light and re-emit it slowly. Common in product descriptions.
Light produced by living organisms, such as fireflies, glowworms, or deep-sea creatures.
The standard scientific term for bioluminescence. Also used in nature documentaries.
深海魚の多くは生物発光能力を持つ。
Many deep-sea fish have bioluminescent abilities.
Loanword for bioluminescence, used in some scientific or popular science contexts.
バイオルミネセンスの研究が進んでいる。
Research on bioluminescence is advancing.
Light emission from a chemical reaction, like glow sticks.
The standard term for chemiluminescence. Used in chemistry and for products like glow sticks.
サイリュームは化学発光の原理を利用している。
Glow sticks utilize the principle of chemiluminescence.
Loanword for chemiluminescence, less common than 化学発光.
ケミルミネセンス法による検出。
Detection by chemiluminescence method.
Light emission from an electric current or field, used in LEDs and EL panels.
The standard term for electroluminescence. Used in electronics and display technology.
有機ELは電界発光を利用したディスプレイだ。
OLEDs are displays that utilize electroluminescence.
Loanword for electroluminescence, often abbreviated as EL.
エレクトロルミネセンスパネルは薄くて軽い。
Electroluminescent panels are thin and lightweight.
Light produced by friction or crushing, like when peeling adhesive tape or crushing sugar crystals.
The standard term for triboluminescence. Used in physics.
テープを剥がすときの摩擦発光現象。
The phenomenon of triboluminescence when peeling off tape.
Loanword for triboluminescence, less common.
トリボルミネセンスは古くから知られている。
Triboluminescence has been known since ancient times.
In everyday conversation, Japanese speakers rarely use the broad term 'ルミネセンス'. Instead, they use specific words like 蛍光 (fluorescence) for highlighters, 蓄光 (phosphorescence) for glow-in-the-dark items, or 生物発光 (bioluminescence) for fireflies. Use the specific term that matches the context.
この時計の文字盤は蓄光です。
This watch dial is luminescent (glow-in-the-dark).
蛍光 (fluorescence) emits light only while excited; 燐光 (phosphorescence) continues emitting after excitation stops; 蓄光 (stored light) is a common term for phosphorescent materials that charge under light and glow in the dark. In product descriptions, 蓄光 is often preferred over 燐光 for glow-in-the-dark items.
蓄光シールを天井に貼った。
I stuck glow-in-the-dark stickers on the ceiling.