照明

しょうめい

illumination

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Understanding 照明

The word 照明 (zhàomíng) primarily refers to lighting or illumination — the act or equipment that provides light. It is commonly used in contexts related to interior lighting, stage lighting, or any artificial light source.

Usage and Nuance

When you use 照明, you often talk about the quality, design, or type of lighting. For example, 照明 can describe how bright or energy-efficient the lighting is. It is a neutral, formal term suitable for technical, architectural, or everyday contexts.

Common Collocations

  • 照明设备 (lighting equipment): refers to devices used to provide light.
  • 照明设计 (lighting design): often used in architecture or stage production.
  • 节能照明 (energy-saving lighting): lighting that conserves energy.

Tips

Avoid confusing 照明 with (guāng), which means light in a more general or natural sense (like sunlight). 照明 specifically implies artificial or controlled lighting. Also, 照明 is a noun and can be used as a verb in compound forms but is mostly seen as a noun in modern usage.

Example Sentences

The lighting in this room is very bright, suitable for reading.

To save energy, we replaced the lighting equipment with energy-saving ones.

The lighting design on the stage is very professional, enhancing the