Japanese word

イルミネーション

Pronunciation

Romajiiruminēshon

Meaning

  • noundecorative lighting

Example

冬になると駅前のイルミネーションがきれいです。fuyu ni na ru to eki mae no i ru mi nē sho n ga ki re i de su

The decorative lighting in front of the station is beautiful in winter.

Illustration for イルミネーション (decorative lighting)

More examples

商店街では毎年、イルミネーションを点灯します。shō ten gai de wa mai toshi i ru mi nē sho n o ten tō shi ma su

The shopping street turns on its decorative lighting every year.

Core concept

Refers to light used not only for visibility but also to create an attractive decorative scene.

Common phrases

  • イルミネーションを見るi ru mi nē sho n o mi ru

    look at decorative lighting

  • イルミネーションを楽しむi ru mi nē sho n o tano shi mu

    enjoy decorative lighting

Similar words

電飾denshoku: Electric lights arranged to decorate buildings, streets, signs, or other objects.
ライトアップraitoappu: Lighting a building, landmark, or other object to emphasize its appearance.

Definition in Japanese

建物や樹木などに飾り付けて、周囲を美しく見せる電灯やその装飾。tate mono ya ju moku na do ni kaza ri tsu ke te shū i o utsuku shi ku mi se ru den tō ya so no sō shoku

Word origin

イルミネーション (iruminēshon) comes from the English word illumination, which traces back to Latin illuminare, meaning "to light up."

Usage tips

  • English speakers often use illumination for lighting a space or object, so the Japanese sense of a festive light display is narrower than the common English sense.

Other meanings

  • illuminationnoun

Word lists with this word