Japanese word

対照

Pronunciation

Romajitaishō

Meaning

  • nouncontrast

Example

赤と青の対照が目立ちます。aka to ao no tai shō ga me da chi ma su

The contrast between red and blue stands out.

Illustration for 対照 (contrast)

More examples

白い壁と黒い家具の対照が、部屋を引き締めています。shiro i kabe to kuro i ka gu no tai shō ga heya o hi ki shi me te i ma su

The contrast between the white walls and black furniture gives the room a sharper look.

Core concept

It sets unlike things against each other so that their distinctive features stand out through comparison.

Common phrases

  • 色の対照iro no tai shō

    color contrast

  • 対照をなすtai shō o na su

    form a contrast

  • 対照を際立たせるtai shō o kiwa da ta se ru

    highlight the contrast

Similar words

対比taihi: A clear difference shown by placing unlike things side by side.
比較hikaku: The act of examining things together to identify shared and differing features.

Definition in Japanese

二つの物事を比べて、互いの違いや特徴を際立たせること。また、その違い。futa tsu no mono goto o kura be te taga i no chiga i ya toku chō o kiwa da ta se ru ko to ma ta so no chiga i

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 対照 (taishō) joins 対 (tai, "face or oppose") with 照 (shō, "illuminate"), linking opposition with the clear display of differences.

Usage tips

  • In formal Japanese, 対照的 (taishōteki) is used for a marked difference between people, things, or situations rather than for an ordinary act of comparing them.

Other meanings

  • comparisonnoun
  • antithesisnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word