How do you say "bright" in Japanese?

明るい

Akarui

Adjective Kanji

In Japanese, "bright" is 明るい (Akarui).

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Pronunciation

明るい is written using kanji. Romanised as Akarui, it sounds roughly like "ah-kah-roo-ee" to an English ear.

Writing and usage

Akarui (明るい) is an i-adjective that describes both well-lit rooms and cheerful personalities. The kanji 明 combines moon and sun, symbolizing brightness and clarity.

Example sentence

この部屋はとても明るいです。

Kono heya wa totemo akarui desu.

This room is very bright.

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How to remember 明るい

The moon and sun together create the brightest light. Picture both celestial bodies shining at once to remember this word.

Related words

Browse all Japanese words in the glossary.

See more Japanese adjectives.

Questions about 明るい

How do you pronounce 明るい?

明るい is romanised as Akarui. Say it roughly like "ah-kah-roo-ee" in English. Each Japanese syllable has even weight, so keep the rhythm steady.

Is 明るい formal or casual?

明るい is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech. The level of formality comes from the sentence structure around it, not from the word itself.

How is 明るい written in Japanese?

明るい is written using kanji. Akarui (明るい) is an i-adjective that describes both well-lit rooms and cheerful personalities.

Where can I practice Japanese words for free?

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"Bright" in other languages

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