How to say "beam" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- nounThe loanword, used for a beam of light, as in lasers or searchlights, and also for structural beams in technical and engineering contexts. A safe choice when the English 'beam' appears in scientific or construction terminology.
- 桁けたnounA structural member such as a girder or crossbeam that supports a load, chiefly in bridge and building construction. Use this for the engineering sense of 'beam', not for light.
- 梁はりnounA horizontal beam or joist in a building's framework, the kind of beam one pictures overhead in traditional architecture. This is the everyday word for the structural sense in ordinary buildings.
- 光線こうせんnounA ray or beam of light traveling in a defined direction, as from a flashlight, the sun, or a lamp. Use this for the light sense of 'beam', especially when the ray is visible as a line.
- 光ひかりnounLight in general, including a gleam or glow. It can correspond to 'beam' only in the loose sense of light shining from something, so it is often too broad when a directed beam is meant.
For light, choose 光線 or 「ビーム」; for construction, 桁 or 梁; 光 means light generally and only loosely covers 'beam'.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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