How to say "lighthouse" in Japanese

• 灯台とうだいJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThe ordinary word for a lighthouse, the coastal tower with a light that guides ships. Use this for the literal structure in almost any context, whether describing scenery, navigation, or travel.
  遠とおい灯台とうだいのかすかな光ひかりを見みた。↗

  We saw the gleam of a distant lighthouse.
• ライトハウス
  nounA katakana loanword also glossed as lighthouse, but less common than 灯台. It appears mostly in proper names, business or brand names, and figurative uses; for an actual lighthouse, 灯台 is normally the word you want.

For the physical structure that guides ships, 灯台 is the everyday Japanese word; 「ライトハウス」 is a loanword used far less often, mainly in names, brands, or stylistic contexts.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 灯台とうだいlighthouse
• ライトハウスlighthouse