Japanese word

灯す

Pronunciation

Romajitomosu

Meaning

  • verblight

Example

誕生日にろうそくに火を灯します。tan jō hi ni rō so ku ni hi o tomo shi ma su

I light a candle on my birthday.

Illustration for 灯す (light)

More examples

店を開ける前に、看板の明かりを灯します。mise o a ke ru mae ni kan ban no a ka ri o tomo shi ma su

I turn on the sign light before opening the shop.

Core concept

Brings a flame or light into an active state, making its surroundings visible.

Common phrases

  • 明かりを灯すa ka ri o tomo su

    turn on a light

  • ろうそくに火を灯すrō so ku ni hi o tomo su

    light a candle

  • ランプに火を灯すra n pu ni hi o tomo su

    light a lamp

Similar words

点けるtsukeru: To switch on a light or appliance, or ignite a flame.

Definition in Japanese

火や明かりをつけて、周囲を照らす状態にすること。hi ya a ka ri o tsu ke te shū i o te ra su jō tai ni su ru ko to

Word origin

灯す (tomosu) preserves the Old Japanese form ともす (tomosu); the verb is native, while 灯 (tō, "lamp; light") is a Chinese-derived kanji selected for its meaning, not the source of the pronunciation.

Usage tips

  • 灯す (tomosu) often appears in literary descriptions of a candle or lamp, so it can suggest creating a small, visible glow rather than operating a modern appliance.

Other meanings

  • turn onverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word