Shadow meanings in Japanese

影 (かげ)

Example:

The tree cast a long shadow on the ground.

その木は地面に長い影を落とした。

I saw a shadow moving in the corner of my eye.

目の端で動く影を見た。

Usage: formal/informalContext: Used in everyday conversation, literature, and descriptions of physical phenomena.

Note: The term can refer to both literal shadows and metaphorical ones, such as 'the shadow of doubt'.

影響 (えいきょう)

Example:

His shadow looms over her decisions.

彼の影響は彼女の決断に影を落としている。

The shadows of past mistakes can affect present choices.

過去の過ちの影が現在の選択に影響を与えることがある。

Usage: formalContext: Often used in discussions about influence or impact in personal, social, and political contexts.

Note: This meaning relates more to the figurative use of 'shadow' as in influence rather than a physical shadow.

影法師 (かげぼうし)

Example:

The children were playing with their shadow puppets.

子供たちは影法師で遊んでいた。

We made shadow figures on the wall using our hands.

手を使って壁に影法師の形を作った。

Usage: informalContext: Used in a playful or artistic context, especially in children's activities.

Note: This term specifically refers to the practice of making figures or shapes using shadows, commonly seen in performances or games.

影のような存在 (かげのようなそんざい)

Example:

He felt like a shadow in the crowd.

彼は群衆の中で影のように感じた。

She always seemed to be in his shadow.

彼女はいつも彼の影にいるようだった。

Usage: informalContext: Used to describe someone who is unnoticed or lives in someone else's shadow, often in social or emotional discussions.

Note: This can carry connotations of feeling overshadowed or lacking recognition.

shade

Shade refers to the area where light is blocked or partially blocked by an object, creating a darker area.

Example: The tree provided shade from the hot sun.

Note: While shadow is the dark shape cast by an object blocking light, shade refers to the area where the light is blocked.

silhouette

Silhouette is the dark shape and outline of someone or something visible against a lighter background.

Example: The artist captured the silhouette of the mountain against the sunset.

Note: Silhouette specifically refers to the outline or shape of an object, often without details or color.

outline

Outline refers to the outer edge or shape of an object or figure.

Example: The outline of the building was clearly visible against the sky.

Note: Outline focuses on the outer shape or contour of an object, without considering the darkness or lightness.

phantom

Phantom refers to a ghostly or shadowy figure that is believed to haunt a place.

Example: The old house was said to be haunted by a phantom that appeared at night.

Note: Phantom carries a connotation of being ghostly or supernatural, unlike a physical shadow.

In someone's shadow

To be in someone's shadow means to live in the comparative obscurity of someone else's greater fame, influence, or reputation.

Example: She always felt like she was living in her sister's shadow.

Note: The phrase 'in someone's shadow' extends the literal meaning of 'shadow' to represent being overshadowed by someone else.

Shadow of one's former self

When someone is a shadow of their former self, they are not as strong, healthy, or impressive as they were in the past.

Example: After the accident, he was just a shadow of his former self.

Note: This phrase uses 'shadow' metaphorically to indicate a diminished or weakened state compared to an earlier condition.

Lurk in the shadows

To lurk in the shadows means to stay hidden or unnoticed, especially with a sinister or secretive motive.

Example: The thief lurked in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Note: This idiom emphasizes the act of staying hidden or concealed in the shadows for a specific purpose.

Follow like a shadow

To follow someone like a shadow means to be constantly close behind them, always watching or monitoring their actions.

Example: The detective followed the suspect like a shadow, never letting him out of sight.

Note: It suggests a continuous and vigilant presence, similar to how a shadow follows its object.

Cast a shadow over

To cast a shadow over something means to create doubt, suspicion, or a negative influence that affects its reputation or standing.

Example: The scandal cast a shadow over the company's reputation.

Note: Here, 'shadow' is used metaphorically to represent a negative impact or overshadowing effect.

Chase shadows

To chase shadows means to pursue or focus on things that are illusory, unattainable, or not worth pursuing.

Example: Stop chasing shadows and focus on what's important.

Note: The phrase uses 'shadows' to symbolize futile or meaningless pursuits that lead nowhere.

Shadow of doubt

A shadow of doubt refers to even a slight uncertainty or suspicion about something, usually in a negative context.

Example: There's not a shadow of doubt that he is guilty.

Note: This phrase implies a lingering doubt or suspicion, represented by the metaphorical 'shadow,' that casts uncertainty on a situation.

Hide in the shadows

To hide in the shadows means to avoid attention or remain unnoticed, often in a deliberate or secretive manner.

Example: He preferred to hide in the shadows rather than face the spotlight.

Note: Using 'shadows' implies a deliberate choice to stay hidden or inconspicuous, contrasting with being in the open or visible.

Shadowban

A shadowban is a practice where a user's content is blocked or partially blocked by a platform, so the user is unaware that their content is not reaching the intended audience. It gives the appearance that everything is normal to the user but their posts are not visible to others.

Example: I think I've been shadowbanned on social media because my posts aren't showing up to many people.

Note: The term 'shadowban' is typically used in the context of social media and online platforms to describe a form of restriction or censorship by making a user's content effectively invisible to others without the user knowing.

Shadow government

A shadow government refers to a group of individuals who operate in secrecy to influence or control certain aspects of governmental functions without being officially recognized or elected.

Example: Some conspiracy theories suggest that there is a shadow government controlling the world behind the scenes.

Note: The term 'shadow government' implies a hidden or unofficial power structure that operates alongside the publicly known government, often with no formal accountability or transparency.

Shadowboxing

Shadowboxing is the act of practicing a fight or combat technique alone, often in front of a mirror or imaginary opponent, to improve precision, speed, and form.

Example: He spends hours shadowboxing in front of the mirror to practice his technique.

Note: In shadowboxing, the person is simulating a fight without an actual opponent, focusing on movement, technique, and form, unlike actual sparring where there is physical contact with a partner.

Shadow side

The shadow side refers to the hidden, darker, or less known aspects of a person, place, thing, or situation that may not be immediately evident or openly acknowledged.

Example: She showed me the shadow side of her personality that I had never seen before.

Note: It emphasizes the existence of concealed or less visible characteristics or qualities that contrast with what is commonly perceived or presented openly.

Shadow economy

The shadow economy comprises unreported or informal economic activities that are not monitored or regulated by the government or national authorities, often involving cash transactions and tax evasion.

Example: Workers in the shadow economy often receive payment under the table to avoid taxes.

Note: This term refers to economic activities that are not officially recognized or included in official statistics, typically existing alongside the formal economy but operating outside of its legal framework.

Shadow work

Shadow work involves exploring and addressing one's unconscious or denied aspects, such as hidden emotions, repressed thoughts, or unresolved issues, to promote self-awareness and personal growth.

Example: She started delving into her shadow work to confront her inner fears and traumas.

Note: It focuses on inner psychological processes and self-reflection to integrate and heal aspects of the self that have been suppressed or overlooked, often being associated with therapeutic practices and emotional healing.

Shadow puppets

Shadow puppets are intricate shapes and figures created by hand gestures and positioning fingers between a source of light and a surface, such as a wall, to project shadows that resemble animals, objects, or characters.

Example: Children love to create various animals with shadow puppets on the wall using a flashlight.

Note: Involving creativity and playfulness, shadow puppets are a form of entertainment and storytelling that relies on manipulating light and shadow to produce visual effects without a physical puppet being present.

The shadow of the tree provided some relief from the sun.

She shadowed the suspect for hours.

The room was dark and shadowy.

Shadow - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)

Lemma: shadow

Conjugations

Adjective (Adjective): shadow

Noun, plural (Noun, plural): shadows, shadow

Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): shadow

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): shadowed

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): shadowing

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): shadows

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): shadow

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): shadow

Syllables, Separation and Stress

shadow Contains 2 syllables: shad • ow

Phonetic transcription: ˈsha-(ˌ)dō

shad ow , ˈsha (ˌ)dō (The red syllable is stressed)

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

shadow: ~ 2100 (Very common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Shadow