Japanese word

明るい

Pronunciation

Romajiakarui

Meaning

  • i-adjectivebright

Example

この部屋は明るいです。ko no heya wa aka ru i de su

This room is bright.

Illustration for 明るい (bright)

More examples

窓を開けると、部屋が明るくなります。mado o a ke ru to heya ga aka ru ku na ri ma su

The room becomes brighter when the window is opened.

Core concept

Expresses a clear, light-filled quality and, by extension, the cheerful energy of a person, expression, or atmosphere.

Common phrases

  • 明るい人aka ru i hito

    cheerful person

  • 明るい声aka ru i koe

    cheerful voice

  • 明るい色aka ru i iro

    bright color

  • 明るい部屋aka ru i heya

    bright room

Similar words

楽しいtanoshii: Describes something that brings pleasure and enjoyment to a person.
まぶしいmabushii: Describes light that feels too strong for comfortable viewing.

Definition in Japanese

光が多く、暗くなくて物がよく見えるさま。また、人の気持ちや性格が朗らかで活気に満ちているさま。hikari ga ō ku kura ku na ku te mono ga yo ku mi e ru sa ma ma ta hito no ki mo chi ya sei kaku ga hoga ra ka de kak ki ni mi chi te i ru sa ma

Word origin

明るい (akarui) comes from the native Japanese stem 明る (akaru, "bright") combined with the adjective ending い (i), and its meanings developed from light to positive qualities.

Usage tips

  • 明るい (akarui) describes a cheerful person or tone, whereas 楽しい (tanoshii) describes something experienced as fun.

Other meanings

  • cheerfuli-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 明るさakarusabrightnessnoun

Word lists with this word