Hello, I’m Kodak.
Imagine walking through a forest on a sunny day.
The leaves block most of the direct sunlight, but small beams and patches of light pass through the spaces between the branches and move across the ground.
Japanese has a word for that scene:
Komorebi
The moving patterns of light and shadow are part of the scene, but 木漏れ日 names the sunlight coming through—not the shade itself.
Komorebi (木漏れ日) means sunlight that passes through the leaves and branches of trees.
Natural English translations include:
・sunlight filtering through the trees
・sunbeams streaming through the leaves
・dappled sunlight beneath the trees
・patches of sunlight through the foliage
In this article, you will learn the word’s exact meaning, structure, origin, pronunciation, kanji, grammar, natural examples, and differences from similar Japanese words.
What Does Komorebi (木漏れ日) Mean in Japanese?
木漏れ日 is a Japanese noun for sunlight that comes through spaces between the branches and leaves of trees.
⇒ sunlight filtering through tree leaves
⇒ beams or patches of sunlight passing through branches
⇒ dappled sunlight created beneath trees
木漏れ日がきれいだ。
Komorebi ga kirei da.
The sunlight filtering through the trees is beautiful.
木漏れ日の中を歩いた。
Komorebi no naka o aruita.
I walked through the dappled sunlight beneath the trees.
木漏れ日が地面を照らしている。
Komorebi ga jimen o terashite iru.
Sunlight filtering through the leaves is lighting the ground.
The essential point is that sunlight passes through gaps in tree foliage.
Is Komorebi an “Untranslatable” Japanese Word?
Komorebi is often introduced online as an “untranslatable Japanese word.”
That description is useful only in a limited sense.
However, English usually needs a phrase such as:
“sunlight filtering through the leaves of trees”
Japanese expresses the same scene with one ordinary noun:
木漏れ日
The meaning itself is perfectly translatable; the translation simply depends on the sentence and image.
Sunlight streams through the leaves.
木漏れ日が揺れている。
The patches of sunlight are flickering beneath the trees.
木漏れ日の道
a path covered in dappled sunlight
The Word Parts of Komorebi: 木 + 漏れ + 日
木漏れ日 becomes easy to remember when divided into three parts.
tree or trees
漏れ (more)
leaking, escaping, or passing through a gap
日 (hi → bi)
the sun or sunlight
trees + leaking through + sunlight
↓
sunlight leaking through the trees
In 木漏れ日, the established reading is こもれび. It is best to learn the whole word as one unit rather than trying to pronounce each kanji separately as ki-more-hi.
What Does 漏れ Mean?
漏れ comes from the verb 漏れる (moreru), meaning that liquid, gas, sound, light, or information escapes through a gap or reaches the outside.
Light leaks through.
窓から明かりが漏れている。
Light is escaping through the window.
木の葉の間から日が漏れる。
Sunlight comes through the gaps between the leaves.
In 木漏れ日, it creates a gentle visual image rather than suggesting a problem.
Why Is 日 Pronounced “Bi” in Komorebi?
The character 日 is commonly read ひ (hi) when it means the sun or sunlight.
In the compound 木漏れ日, its first sound becomes voiced:
↓
び (bi)
木漏れ日 = こもれび
This type of sound change is called 連濁 (rendaku), or sequential voicing. In some Japanese compounds, the first sound of the second element becomes voiced.
Learn the pronunciation of each established compound. For this word, remember the rhythm as ko-mo-re-bi.
How to Pronounce Komorebi
Hiragana: こもれび
Romaji: komorebi
Mora: こ・も・れ・び (4 morae)
Give each part roughly one beat:
Avoid stretching it into the English word “ray.” Keep all four beats relatively even: ko-mo-re-bi.
How to Write Komorebi in Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana
Alternative spelling: 木洩れ日
Hiragana: こもれび
Katakana: コモレビ
Romaji: komorebi
木漏れ日 is the most common modern spelling. 木洩れ日 has the same reading and meaning but uses the alternative character 洩.
The hiragana spelling こもれび is fully understandable and may be used in children’s writing, product names, poetry, or softer visual designs.
Katakana コモレビ is normally stylistic rather than the default spelling.
The Origin and History of the Word Komorebi
木漏れ日 is a transparent Japanese compound formed from words meaning tree, passing through a gap, and sunlight.
＋
漏れ — leaking or passing through
＋
日 — sun or sunlight
↓
木漏れ日 — sunlight passing through the trees
The Seisenban Nihon Kokugo Daijiten entry cited by Kotobank gives an early written example from Wakayama Bokusui’s Rojō, published in 1911.
A dictionary’s earliest cited example shows that the word was in written use by that date. It does not prove that nobody had spoken or written it earlier.
Is Komorebi a Noun or an Adjective?
木漏れ日 is a noun.
The filtered sunlight is beautiful.
美しい木漏れ日
beautiful sunlight filtering through the trees
木漏れ日の道
a path with dappled sunlight
Say 木漏れ日がきれいです or 木漏れ日の美しい景色です.
Basic Grammar: How to Use Komorebi
1. 木漏れ日が + Verb or Adjective
Filtered sunlight shines through.
木漏れ日が揺れる。
The patches of sunlight flicker or sway.
木漏れ日がまぶしい。
The sunlight through the trees is bright.
木漏れ日が美しい。
The filtered sunlight is beautiful.
2. 木漏れ日の + Noun
Use の to connect 木漏れ日 to another noun.
木漏れ日の中 — in the filtered sunlight
木漏れ日の下 — beneath the sunlight coming through the leaves
木漏れ日の模様 — a pattern of dappled sunlight
木漏れ日の写真 — a photograph of sunlight filtering through trees
3. 木漏れ日を + Verb
窓から木漏れ日を眺めた。
Mado kara komorebi o nagameta.
I gazed at the sunlight filtering through the trees from the window.
写真家は美しい木漏れ日を撮影した。
Shashinka wa utsukushii komorebi o satsuei shita.
The photographer captured beautiful dappled sunlight.
Common Collocations with Komorebi
木漏れ日が差し込む — sunlight streams in through the leaves
木漏れ日が揺れる — patches of sunlight flicker or sway
木漏れ日がきらめく — the filtered sunlight sparkles
木漏れ日を浴びる — to be bathed in sunlight through the trees
木漏れ日の中を歩く — to walk through dappled sunlight
木漏れ日の道 — a path patterned with filtered sunlight
柔らかな木漏れ日 — soft sunlight filtering through leaves
美しい木漏れ日 — beautiful filtered sunlight
木漏れ日 names the light, while 差し込む describes its movement into a space.
Komorebi vs Sunlight (日光・日差し)
木漏れ日 is one specific kind of sunlight.
sunlight in a broad, objective sense
日差し (hizashi)
rays or intensity of sunlight reaching a place
木漏れ日 (komorebi)
sunlight specifically filtered through tree branches and leaves
強い日差しを避けた。
Tsuyoi hizashi o saketa.
I avoided the strong sunlight.
森の木漏れ日が心地よかった。
Mori no komorebi ga kokochi yokatta.
The sunlight filtering through the forest canopy felt pleasant.
Light coming through an ordinary window is simply 日差し, 日光, or 光, depending on the context.
Komorebi vs Tree Shade (木陰)
木漏れ日 and 木陰 often exist in the same place, but they name opposite parts of the visual scene.
the sunlight passing through leaves
木陰 (kokage)
the shaded place beneath or beside a tree
木陰で休んだ。
Kokage de yasunda.
I rested in the shade of a tree.
木陰に木漏れ日が揺れていた。
Kokage ni komorebi ga yurete ita.
Patches of sunlight flickered in the shade beneath the trees.
More precisely, 木陰 is the whole shaded area created by the tree, while 木漏れ日 is the sunlight that enters that area through gaps.
Komorebi vs Dappled Light
Dappled sunlight is often an excellent English translation of 木漏れ日, especially when describing moving spots of light on the ground.
Specifically involves sunlight passing through tree branches and leaves.
dappled light
Can describe an irregular pattern of light and shade more generally, depending on context.
sunlight filtering through the trees for a clear definition
dappled sunlight for the pattern on the ground
sunbeams through the leaves when visible rays are important
Does Komorebi Include Moonlight?
Normally, no. The final element 日 refers to the sun or sunlight.
木々の間から漏れる月明かり
moonlight filtering through the trees
Do not normally use 木漏れ日 for moonlight.
Can Komorebi Be Used Metaphorically?
Yes. Writers, advertisers, musicians, and artists may use 木漏れ日 as an image of gentleness, hope, warmth, protection, or light appearing through difficulty.
a smile like sunlight filtering through leaves
心に差し込む木漏れ日
a ray of gentle light entering the heart
Feelings such as hope, peace, or healing come from the writer’s metaphor and the surrounding context.
Komorebi in Anime, Manga, Novels, and Songs
Because 木漏れ日 creates a vivid visual image, it often appears in scene descriptions, narration, song titles, and poetic dialogue.
I’ll be waiting beneath the filtered sunlight.
木漏れ日が二人を照らしていた。
Sunlight through the leaves illuminated the two of them.
森には柔らかな木漏れ日が差していた。
Soft sunlight filtered through the forest canopy.
木漏れ日のような温かさを感じた。
I felt a warmth like sunlight filtering through leaves.
The natural scene itself can feel poetic, so the word appears especially often in descriptive or artistic language.
Natural Example Sentences with Komorebi
公園の木漏れ日がとてもきれいだった。
Kōen no komorebi ga totemo kirei datta.
The sunlight filtering through the trees in the park was beautiful.
木漏れ日の中で本を読んだ。
Komorebi no naka de hon o yonda.
I read a book in the dappled sunlight beneath the trees.
風が吹くたびに、木漏れ日が揺れた。
Kaze ga fuku tabi ni, komorebi ga yureta.
Each time the wind blew, the patches of sunlight flickered.
森の小道に柔らかな木漏れ日が差していた。
Mori no komichi ni yawarakana komorebi ga sashite ita.
Soft sunlight filtered onto the forest path.
窓から木漏れ日が差し込んでいる。
Mado kara komorebi ga sashikonde iru.
Sunlight filtered through the trees and entered through the window.
木漏れ日を浴びながら散歩するのが好きだ。
Komorebi o abinagara sanpo suru no ga suki da.
I like walking while being bathed in sunlight filtering through the trees.
木漏れ日が彼女の顔を優しく照らした。
Komorebi ga kanojo no kao o yasashiku terashita.
The filtered sunlight gently illuminated her face.
写真には木漏れ日の美しい模様が写っていた。
Shashin ni wa komorebi no utsukushii moyō ga utsutte ita.
The photograph captured a beautiful pattern of dappled sunlight.
夏でも、木漏れ日の道は少し涼しい。
Natsu demo, komorebi no michi wa sukoshi suzushii.
Even in summer, a tree-lined path with filtered sunlight is slightly cool.
カーテンに木漏れ日の影が映っていた。
Kāten ni komorebi no kage ga utsutte ita.
The patterns of filtered sunlight and shadow were reflected on the curtain.
朝の木漏れ日を見ると、気持ちが落ち着く。
Asa no komorebi o miru to, kimochi ga ochitsuku.
Seeing the morning sunlight through the trees makes me feel calm.
彼は木漏れ日の写真を撮るために森へ入った。
Kare wa komorebi no shashin o toru tame ni mori e haitta.
He entered the forest to photograph sunlight filtering through the leaves.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake 1: Thinking Komorebi Means “Nature” or “Peace”
木漏れ日 is a specific physical phenomenon. It can create a peaceful mood, but peace is not part of its literal meaning.
Mistake 2: Using It for Any Kind of Sunlight
⇒ 木漏れ日
Strong direct sunlight
⇒ 強い日差し
Sunlight in general
⇒ 日光 / 太陽の光
Mistake 3: Confusing It with Tree Shade
木陰 is the shaded area under a tree. 木漏れ日 is the light entering that shaded area.
Mistake 4: Pronouncing It “Ki-more-hi”
The established pronunciation is こもれび (ko-mo-re-bi).
Mistake 5: Treating It as an Adjective
This does not naturally mean “This forest is beautiful and dappled.”
○ この森は木漏れ日がきれいです。
The sunlight filtering through the trees in this forest is beautiful.
FAQ About Komorebi
What does komorebi mean?
Komorebi (木漏れ日) means sunlight that filters through the gaps between tree branches and leaves.
What is the best English translation of komorebi?
Useful translations include sunlight filtering through the trees, sunbeams through the leaves, and dappled sunlight.
Is komorebi really untranslatable?
No. Its meaning can be translated clearly, but English usually needs a phrase rather than one ordinary word with exactly the same meaning.
How do you write komorebi in Japanese?
The standard spelling is 木漏れ日. It can also be written 木洩れ日 or entirely in hiragana as こもれび.
How do you pronounce komorebi?
It has four morae: こ・も・れ・び, or ko-mo-re-bi.
Why is the final sound “bi” rather than “hi”?
The word undergoes a sound change called rendaku, so ひ becomes び inside this compound.
Is komorebi a noun?
Yes. It is a noun. For example, 木漏れ日がきれいだ means “The sunlight filtering through the trees is beautiful.”
Does komorebi mean tree shade?
No. Tree shade is 木陰 (kokage). 木漏れ日 is the sunlight passing through gaps in the leaves into that shaded area.
Can komorebi describe moonlight?
Normally, no. It refers to sunlight. Moonlight through trees can be described as 木々の間から漏れる月明かり.
Is komorebi a poetic word?
It is an ordinary Japanese noun, but it often appears in poetic, visual, or artistic contexts because the natural phenomenon is visually expressive.
When was the word komorebi first used?
A major historical dictionary cites an example from Wakayama Bokusui’s 1911 work Rojō. This is an early documented example, not proof that the word was invented that year.
Summary: The Meaning and Usage of Komorebi
Sunlight passing through the gaps between tree branches and leaves.
● Natural English translations
sunlight filtering through the trees / sunbeams through the leaves / dappled sunlight
● Writing
Kanji: 木漏れ日
Alternative: 木洩れ日
Hiragana: こもれび
Romaji: komorebi
● Word structure
木 (tree) + 漏れ (passing through a gap) + 日 (sunlight)
● Part of speech
A noun
● Important difference
木漏れ日 = filtered sunlight through trees
木陰 = tree shade
日差し = sunlight or rays reaching a place
日光 = sunlight in general
木漏れ日 (komorebi)
References
- Kotobank: 木漏れ日 — dictionary definition, alternative spellings, and an early cited example from 1911.
- Kotobank Progressive Japanese–English Dictionary: 木漏れ日 — English translation as sunlight or sunbeams streaming through tree leaves.
- Kanjipedia: 木漏れ日・木洩れ日 — reading and definition.
- Goo Dictionary: 漏れる・洩れる — the sense of light passing through a gap.
- Kotobank: 木陰 — definition of the shaded place beneath or beside a tree.
- National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics: Rendaku — explanation of voicing in Japanese compounds.