Japanese word

人影

Pronunciation

Romajihitokage

Meaning

  • nounfigure

Example

暗い道の先に人影が見えます。kura i michi no saki ni hito kage ga mi e ma su

I can see a figure at the end of the dark road.

Illustration for 人影 (figure)

More examples

窓の外に人影が動くのが見えます。mado no soto ni hito kage ga ugo ku no ga mi e ma su

I can see a figure moving outside the window.

Core concept

It presents a person as a visible outline or presence, often seen from a distance or in dim light.

Common phrases

  • 人影が見えるhito kage ga mi e ru

    a figure is visible

  • 人影を見かけるhito kage o mi ka ke ru

    spot a figure

  • 人影が近づくhito kage ga chika zu ku

    a figure approaches

Definition in Japanese

人の姿や輪郭が、遠くや暗がりなどに見えるもの。hito no sugata ya rin kaku ga tō ku ya kura ga ri na do ni mi e ru mo no

Word origin

人 (hito, "person") combines with 影 (kage, "shadow or figure") to form 人影 (hitokage), meaning the visible form of a person.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 人影 (hitokage) often describes a person seen only as a distant or indistinct outline, so figure is usually more natural than a literal translation involving shadow.

Other meanings

  • silhouettenoun

Word lists with this word