Translation guide
The English word "sunshine" refers to the light and warmth from the sun. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 日光 (nikkō), but other words like 日差し (hizashi) and 陽射し (hizashi) are used for specific nuances such as rays of sun or warmth. This guide helps you choose the right expression based on context.
Referring to the light from the sun, often in a neutral or positive sense.
The standard word for sunlight or sunshine. Used in both everyday and technical contexts.
日光が部屋に差し込んでいる。
Sunshine is streaming into the room.
植物は日光を必要とする。
Plants need sunshine.
Literally 'light of the sun'. More descriptive and slightly more poetic than 日光.
太陽の光がまぶしい。
The sunshine is dazzling.
Emphasizing the beams or warmth of the sun, often in a pleasant context.
Refers to the rays of the sun, often implying warmth. Commonly used in weather forecasts and daily conversation.
今日は日差しが強い。
The sunshine is strong today.
春の日差しが心地よい。
The spring sunshine feels pleasant.
Alternative kanji for 日差し, often with a nuance of warmth and brightness. Interchangeable in many contexts.
A literary or poetic term for sunlight, often used in writing.
Describing the condition of having sunshine, or a spot where the sun shines.
A sunny place; the opposite of shade. Often used when talking about being in the sun.
猫が日向で寝ている。
The cat is sleeping in the sunshine.
日向は暖かい。
It's warm in the sunshine.
Fine weather; clear sky. More about the weather condition than the light itself.
Metaphorical use, often in phrases like 'ray of sunshine'.
Literally 'light of hope'. Used to describe someone or something that brings joy or hope.
彼女は私の人生における希望の光だ。
She is a ray of sunshine in my life.
A more literary phrase meaning 'a ray of light' in a dark situation.
その知らせは暗い状況の中の一筋の光明だった。
The news was a ray of sunshine in a dark situation.
日光 is the general term for sunlight, often used in scientific or neutral contexts. 日差し emphasizes the rays and warmth, and is more common in daily conversation about weather.
In English, 'sunshine' can be a term of endearment ('my sunshine'). In Japanese, directly translating this would sound unnatural. Use expressions like 大切な人 (taisetsu na hito, 'precious person') or 希望の光 (kibō no hikari, 'light of hope') instead.
朝の日差しが大好きです。
I love the morning sunshine.
この部屋は日光がよく入る。
The room gets a lot of sunshine.
Take a walk in the sunshine.
陽光が降り注ぐ庭。
A garden bathed in sunshine.
今日は晴天です。
It's sunny today. (literally: It's fine weather.)