Japanese symbol for “gleam”
明かり
あかり
Romaji: akari
light; glow; gleam
In Japanese, gleam is 明かり, read あかり (akari).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- n light; glow; gleam
- n (a) light; lights; lamp
- n proof (of innocence)
Written forms: 明かり、灯り、灯火、灯. Readings: あかり.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “gleam”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 光 | ひかり hikari | illumination; ray; beam |
| 閃く | ひらめく hirameku | to flash (e.g. lightning); to flicker; to glitter |
| 煌めく | きらめく kirameku | to glitter; to sparkle; to twinkle |
| 輝く | かがやく kagayaku | to light up (with happiness, hope, etc.); to beam; to gleam |
| テカる | テカる tekaru | to gleam; to shine |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 説明 | せつめい setsumei | explanation; exposition; description |
| 明日 | あした ashita | tomorrow |
| 明らか | あきらか akiraka | clear; obvious; evident |
| 不明 | ふめい fumei | unclear; obscure; indistinct |
| 証明 | しょうめい shoumei | proof; testimony; demonstration |
| 明確 | めいかく meikaku | clear; precise; definite |
See also: Chinese symbol for “gleam”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.