Meaning and Usage
The adjective まぶしい describes something so bright or radiant that it causes discomfort or difficulty in seeing clearly. It is often used for sunlight, lights, or anything emitting strong brightness. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something impressive or beautiful, like a dazzling smile.
Common Collocations
- まぶしい光 (dazzling light): used when the light is too strong to look at directly.
- まぶしい笑顔 (dazzling smile): describes a radiant, attractive smile.
- まぶしい太陽 (dazzling sun): refers to the bright sun causing glare.
Register and Nuance
まぶしい is a neutral adjective suitable for everyday conversation and writing. It conveys a strong sensory impression and can express both literal brightness and figurative brilliance.
Learner Tips
Be careful not to confuse まぶしい with くらい (dark) or にくらしい (hateful). まぶしい always relates to brightness or radiance. When describing something unpleasantly bright, まぶしい is appropriate, but for darkness or dimness, use other words.