Japanese word

陰

Pronunciation

Romajikage

Meaning

  • nounshade

Example

暑いので木の陰で休みます。atsu i no de ki no kage de yasu mi ma su

It is hot, so I rest in the shade.

Illustration for 陰 (shade)

More examples

窓から入る日差しで壁に陰ができています。mado ka ra hai ru hi za shi de kabe ni kage ga de ki te i ma su

The sunlight coming through the window is creating a shadow on the wall.

Core concept

Describes a darker or sheltered area formed when light is blocked, often providing relief from direct sunlight.

Common phrases

  • 建物の陰tate mono no kage

    shade of a building

  • 陰で休むkage de yasu mu

    rest in the shade

  • 陰を作るkage o tsuku ru

    cast a shadow

Similar words

日陰hikage: An area that is not exposed to direct sunlight, often outdoors.
影kage: A dark shape cast by an object when it blocks light.

Definition in Japanese

光が直接当たらず、物の後ろなどにできる暗い部分や、そこに入って日差しを避けられる場所。hikari ga choku setsu a ta ra zu mono no ushi ro na do ni de ki ru kura i bu bun ya so ko ni hai tte hi za shi o sa ke ra re ru ba sho

Word origin

陰 (kage) is a native Japanese word found in Old Japanese, and the kanji 陰 (in, "the shaded side") was adopted to represent a place protected from direct sunlight.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 陰 (kage) can describe the protected side of a building or tree, so it fits places where people pause outdoors as well as the shade itself.

Other meanings

  • shadownoun

Opposites

  • 日なたhinatasunny placenoun

Word lists with this word