Hikari vs. Akari

[D B Malmquist]

In "Konomini" there are two mysterious girls, one named Hikari and
one named Akari. An on-line dictionary indicates that both words
simply mean "light" -

Akari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=akari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26
Hikari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=hikari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26

Is there any difference in meaning between these two words?

- dbm

[David Nakamoto]

Hikari also has the meaning "brilliant" meaning bright light I suppose,
which Akari does not. But perhaps the similar meaning names are meant to
delineate the two girls apart through different names, but highlight the
similarities between them?
--
Sincerely,
--- Dave

----------------------------------------------------------------------
A man is a god in ruins.
--- Duke Ellington
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Post by D B Malmquist
In "Konomini" there are two mysterious girls, one named Hikari and
one named Akari. An on-line dictionary indicates that both words
simply mean "light" -
Akari -

http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=akari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26

Post by D B Malmquist
Hikari -

http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=hikari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26

Post by D B Malmquist
Is there any difference in meaning between these two words?
- dbm

[D B Malmquist]

Post by David Nakamoto
Hikari also has the meaning "brilliant" meaning bright light I suppose,
which Akari does not. But perhaps the similar meaning names are meant to
delineate the two girls apart through different names, but highlight the
similarities between them?

Possibly.

<Minors spoilers for episode 1 of "Konomini">
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Both girls appear when a brilliant ball of light descends from
outer space. It splits, and one half ends up caught in some
tree branches. A teenage boy sees it there, says "hikari", and
suddenly the ball of light transforms into a cute girl who looks
very similar to a drawing of his "ideal" girl, as depicted earlier
that day by one of his friends. The arrival of the second girl,
Akari, isn't shown, but she is later found living in a tree and
it is assumed she appeared/materialized in a similar manner.

So both characters are associated with light, and I was wondering
whether their names hinted at some slight difference in that
association. (I.e. "moonlight" vs "sunlight" or such.)

- dbm

[The Wanderer]

Post by D B Malmquist
In "Konomini" there are two mysterious girls, one named Hikari and
one named Akari. An on-line dictionary indicates that both words
simply mean "light" -
Akari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=akari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26
Hikari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=hikari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26
Is there any difference in meaning between these two words?

It depends on the kanji. There are two different kanji combinations for
"akari" as "light", but they have slight differences in meaning. There
are several light-related kanji which can be read as "hikari", and some
of them also have more complicated connotations; more than that I can't
really guess without knowing which kanji to look at.

That is, however, ignoring the fact that I'm working from edict, not
enamdict - that is, a "general usage" kanji dictionary, not a "name
meanings" kanji dictionary. There can be considerable differences in the
latter, and I have no current means of knowing what they are.

[Michael Borgwardt]

Post by The Wanderer
That is, however, ignoring the fact that I'm working from edict, not
enamdict - that is, a "general usage" kanji dictionary, not a "name
meanings" kanji dictionary. There can be considerable differences in the
latter

Not at all. The meanings are fixed to the kanji. There are just a lot of special
kanji (and readings) used only in names.

[The Wanderer]

Post by Michael Borgwardt

Post by The Wanderer
That is, however, ignoring the fact that I'm working from edict,
not enamdict - that is, a "general usage" kanji dictionary, not a
"name meanings" kanji dictionary. There can be considerable
differences in the latter

Not at all. The meanings are fixed to the kanji. There are just a lot
of special kanji (and readings) used only in names.

Well, yes. My point was that I have no way of knowing whether or not the
readings in question are intended to correspond to some kanji which
*are* only used in names, and may have different meanings from the ones
which I *can* find.

...That feels almost incomprehensible. If it doesn't make sense, ask and
I'll try to say it better.

[Michael Borgwardt]

Post by The Wanderer
Well, yes. My point was that I have no way of knowing whether or not the
readings in question are intended to correspond to some kanji which
*are* only used in names, and may have different meanings from the ones
which I *can* find.

The source of the misunderstandings lies in the question. The original poster
seems not to be aware that only the kanji defines the meaning and that (especially
with names) that are often many, many different kanji (with different meanings)
that are pronounced the same.

So if one restricts the question to these specific characters' names,
you'd first and foremost need to know which kanji are used for them.

[The Wanderer]

Post by Michael Borgwardt

Post by The Wanderer
Well, yes. My point was that I have no way of knowing whether or
not the readings in question are intended to correspond to some
kanji which *are* only used in names, and may have different
meanings from the ones which I *can* find.

The source of the misunderstandings lies in the question. The
original poster seems not to be aware that only the kanji defines the
meaning and that (especially with names) that are often many, many
different kanji (with different meanings) that are pronounced the
same.
So if one restricts the question to these specific characters' names,
you'd first and foremost need to know which kanji are used for them.

...Which is why the first thing I said was "It depends on the kanji".
The rest was partly explaining why and partly trying to do the best I
could without them.

Given that the names *are* for two characters from the same source, they
probably do have a connected/related meaning. What the details of the
difference in meaning are, if difference there be (which there probably
does), is nonetheless indeterminable without the kanji.

[D B Malmquist]

Post by Michael Borgwardt

Post by The Wanderer
Well, yes. My point was that I have no way of knowing whether or not the
readings in question are intended to correspond to some kanji which
*are* only used in names, and may have different meanings from the ones
which I *can* find.

The source of the misunderstandings lies in the question. The original poster
seems not to be aware that only the kanji defines the meaning and that (especially
with names) that are often many, many different kanji (with different meanings)
that are pronounced the same.

Well, I do understand that homonyms are very common in Japanese,
that's why I provided a link to all possible meanings for "akari"
and "hikari" as given by that on-line dictionary. I do know that
"hikari" at least is supposed to mean "light", because the character
first appears as a brilliant but featureless ball of light, whereupon
another character says "hikari..." - and the ball of light transforms
into a girl. And "Hikari" becomes her name.

I don't recall that Akari's naming occurs on-screen, but she is
also supposed to have appeared from a ball of light, and is
considered to be Hikari's sister.

I did not know that there were additional meanings for certain
homonyms only when used as names. Noted.

Anyway, the characters' names are shown here -

http://www.gainax.co.jp/anime/konomini/chara.html

Hikari is on the upper left, Akari is on the upper right. See
also here -

http://www.konomini.com/chara.html

Unfortunately, it looks to me (note - I'm Japanese-illiterate)
that their names are spelled in Katakana, not Kanji...

- dbm (surprised at how complicated this question was.)

[Ethan Hammond]

Post by D B Malmquist
Unfortunately, it looks to me (note - I'm Japanese-illiterate)
that their names are spelled in Katakana, not Kanji...

So they were gaijin all along!!!!

--
All Purpose Cultural Randomness
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/apcr/index.html

[EAC]

Post by Ethan Hammond

Post by D B Malmquist
Unfortunately, it looks to me (note - I'm Japanese-illiterate)
that their names are spelled in Katakana, not Kanji...

So they were gaijin all along!!!!

Hikari and Akari are uchuujin to be much more precise.

[Ethan Hammond]

Post by Ethan Hammond
So they were gaijin all along!!!!
Hikari and Akari are uchuujin to be much more precise.

Ventura, ventura, space people!!!!

--
All Purpose Cultural Randomness
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/apcr/index.html

[сирек оқырман]

As I understood Akari - is "moonlight" - a warm light emitted by paper lamps, without shadows

as for Hikari - she is "sunlight" - very bright and cheerful

And I personally liked Akari more

[Jim diGriz]

Post by D B Malmquist
In "Konomini" there are two mysterious girls, one named Hikari and
one named Akari. An on-line dictionary indicates that both words
simply mean "light" -
Akari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=akari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26
Hikari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=hikari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26
Is there any difference in meaning between these two words?

Jim Breen's WWWJDIC Server
<http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/wwwjdic?1C>

Search Key: $B$"$+$j(B Options: [G]oogle search, [GI] Google images,
[S]anseido dictionary, [Ex]ample sentences, [V]erb conjugations.

$BEt$j(B $B!Z$"$+$j![(B (n) a light
$BL@$+$j(B(P); $BL@$j(B(P) $B!Z$"$+$j![(B (n) lamplight; light (in general); brightness
$BL@$+$j>c;R(B $B!Z$"$+$j$7$g$&$8![(B (n) paper screen door for admitting light
$BL@$+$j:N$j(B $B!Z$"$+$j$H$j![(B (n) skylight; dormer; transom
$BL@$+$jAk(B; $BL@$jAk(B $B!Z$"$+$j$^$I![(B (n) transom; skylight; dormer window

Search Key: $B$R$+$j(B Options: [G]oogle search, [GI] Google images,
[S]anseido dictionary, [Ex]ample sentences, [V]erb conjugations.

$B$R$+$j(B (n) skips-most-stations Toukai-line Shinkansen [G][GI][S]
$B8w(B $B!Z$R$+$j![(B (n) light; (P) [Ex][G][GI][S]
$B8w2rN%(B $B!Z$R$+$j$+$$$j![(B (n) photodissociation; photo-dissociation [G][GI][S]
$B8w$j51$/(B $B!Z$R$+$j$+$,$d$/![(B (v5k) to shine; to glitter; (P)
[V][Ex][G][GI][S]
$B8w$,F)$k%+!<%F%s(B $B!Z$R$+$j$,$H$*$k%+!<%F%s![(B curtain pervious to light
[G][GI][S]
$B8wiE(B $B!Z$R$+$j$4$1![(B (n) luminous moss [G][GI][S]
$B8w<'5$(B $B!Z$R$+$j$8$-![(B magneto-optical [G][GI][S]
$B8wDL?.(B $B!Z$R$+$j$D$&$7$s![(B (n) light-wave communication [G][GI][S]
$B8wDL?.5;=Q(B $B!Z$R$+$j$D$&$7$s$.$8$e$D![(B (n) photonic technology [G][GI][S]
$B8w%G%#%9%/(B $B!Z$R$+$j%G%#%9%/![(B (n) optical disk; digital optical disk
[G][GI][S]
$B8w$KK~$A$?6u(B $B!Z$R$+$j$K$_$A$?$=$i![(B sky suffused with light [G][GI][S]
$B8w$NB.$5(B $B!Z$R$+$j$N$O$d$5![(B the speed of light [G][GI][S]
$B8w%U%!%$%P(B $B!Z$R$+$j%U%!%$%P![(B optical fiber [G][GI][S]
$B8w%U%!%$%P!<(B $B!Z$R$+$j%U%!%$%P!<![(B (n) optical fiber [Ex][G][GI][S]
$B8w%U%!%$%P!<%1!<%V%k(B $B!Z$R$+$j%U%!%$%P!<%1!<%V%k![(B (n) fiber-optic cable
[G][GI][S]
$B8w$jJ*(B; $B8wJ*(B $B!Z$R$+$j$b$N![(B (n) (1) luminous body like a shooting star;
(2) any bright metal; (3) sliced fish with the silver skin left on
(iwashi, aji, sayori, sanma, kohada, etc.) [G][GI][S] [G][GI][S]
$B8w$rF)$9(B $B!Z$R$+$j$r$H$*$9![(B (exp) to be pervious to light [G][GI][S]
$B8w$rDL$9(B $B!Z$R$+$j$r$H$*$9![(B (exp) to be pervious to light [G][GI][S]

JdG

[The Wanderer]

Post by Jim diGriz

Post by D B Malmquist
In "Konomini" there are two mysterious girls, one named Hikari and
one named Akari. An on-line dictionary indicates that both words
simply mean "light" -
Akari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=akari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26
Hikari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=hikari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26
Is there any difference in meaning between these two words?

Jim Breen's WWWJDIC Server
<http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/wwwjdic?1C>

...which is unfortunately useless here, because all of the entries given
are general-usage kanji, not name kanji. JEDI, which has an option to
search enamdict instead of edict, returns anywhere from three to five
other possible kanji for "hikari", and so many for "akari" it isn't even
funny (though most of those are close variants on the same thing);
plugging any of those into either JEDI or the kanji side of wwwjdic just
returns the name, not its translation.

So without someone familiar with the meanings of name-specific kanji, or
a resource capable of telling us those meanings, we're probably pretty
much screwed.

[Bill Blackthorn]

Post by The Wanderer

Post by Jim diGriz

Post by D B Malmquist
In "Konomini" there are two mysterious girls, one named Hikari and
one named Akari. An on-line dictionary indicates that both words
simply mean "light" -
Akari -
http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=
on&H=PW&L=J&T=akari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26 Hikari -
http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=
on&H=PW&L=J&T=hikari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26
Is there any difference in meaning between these two words?

Jim Breen's WWWJDIC Server
<http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/wwwjdic?1C>

...which is unfortunately useless here, because all of the entries
given are general-usage kanji, not name kanji. JEDI, which has an
option to search enamdict instead of edict, returns anywhere from
three to five other possible kanji for "hikari", and so many for
"akari" it isn't even funny (though most of those are close variants
on the same thing); plugging any of those into either JEDI or the
kanji side of wwwjdic just returns the name, not its translation.
So without someone familiar with the meanings of name-specific kanji,
or a resource capable of telling us those meanings, we're probably
pretty much screwed.

Their names are written in katakana (on the official hompage)
so name-specific kanji are pretty much irrelevant.

As a guess akari seems to imply a source of light more
strongly than hikari and seems to have more methaphoric
connotations.

[Michael Borgwardt]

Post by Bill Blackthorn
Their names are written in katakana (on the official hompage)
so name-specific kanji are pretty much irrelevant.

In that case, it's easy. The names simply *have no* meanings.
That's what writing a Japanese name in Kana signals: It's not
supposed to carry any meaning.

[Bill Blackthorn]

Post by Michael Borgwardt

Post by Bill Blackthorn
Their names are written in katakana (on the official hompage)
so name-specific kanji are pretty much irrelevant.

In that case, it's easy. The names simply *have no* meanings.
That's what writing a Japanese name in Kana signals: It's not
supposed to carry any meaning.

Or maybe it's just because someone thought katakana look cooler,
or because they are aliens. At least in Hikari's case the
circumstances of her naming show that it's supposed to be light.

[Bill Blackthorn]

Post by Bill Blackthorn

Post by Michael Borgwardt

Post by Bill Blackthorn
Their names are written in katakana (on the official hompage)
so name-specific kanji are pretty much irrelevant.

In that case, it's easy. The names simply *have no* meanings.
That's what writing a Japanese name in Kana signals: It's not
supposed to carry any meaning.

Or maybe it's just because someone thought katakana look cooler,

On a second look that must be it. Takeru, Riou and Mari
(not really surpising) are written in katakana, too.
(And of course Jennifer, Kuon and Aionios). The other names
are all in kanji, though.

[Chris Kern]

On Fri, 07 May 2004 16:58:05 +0200, Michael Borgwardt

Post by Michael Borgwardt

Post by Bill Blackthorn
Their names are written in katakana (on the official hompage)
so name-specific kanji are pretty much irrelevant.

In that case, it's easy. The names simply *have no* meanings.
That's what writing a Japanese name in Kana signals: It's not
supposed to carry any meaning.

That's not necessarily true. And the reverse implication, that names
written in kanji are supposed to carry meaning, is also not true.

-Chris

[Chris Kern]

On Fri, 07 May 2004 01:24:27 -0400, D B Malmquist

Post by D B Malmquist
In "Konomini" there are two mysterious girls, one named Hikari and
one named Akari. An on-line dictionary indicates that both words
simply mean "light" -
Akari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=akari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26
Hikari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=hikari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26
Is there any difference in meaning between these two words?

Contrary to what some other posters said, there is not always a clear
distinction between the kanji used to spell a word (remember that the
words developed before the kanji were assigned to them). Particularly
for "akari" and "hikaru" there really aren't multiple kanji that are
commonly used for them in modern Japanese (there's one additional
kanji for "akari" but that sense of the word can also be written with
the normal kanji.)

Using a Japanese dictionary like the Daijirin is a good way to get
meanings for these words.

It seems to indicate that akari is a brighter light than hikaru (the
definition of "akari" is "akarui hikaru"). The example is "getsu no
akari" (moonlight). (Another definition is "beam of light")

The Koujien definition of akari is "mono wo akaraka ni suru hikaru"
which means "light that makes something bright", and it also has the
"beam of light" definition.

A google search indicates that "hikaru" is considerably more common
than "akari", even in phrases like moonlight and sunlight (both "getsu
no hikaru" and "taiyou no hikaru" get ten times or more the hits of
the "akari" versions).

In any case, it appears that "akari" is a narrower word than "hikaru",
in whatever way that is.

-Chris

[Michael Borgwardt]

Post by Chris Kern
Contrary to what some other posters said, there is not always a clear
distinction between the kanji used to spell a word (remember that the
words developed before the kanji were assigned to them). Particularly
for "akari" and "hikaru" there really aren't multiple kanji that are
commonly used for them in modern Japanese

Except with names, which these are. There are well over 100 names that
are pronounced "akari", admittedly many of them sharing one or two
of the (usually three) kanji.

[Chris Kern]

On Fri, 07 May 2004 15:59:25 +0200, Michael Borgwardt

Post by Michael Borgwardt

Post by Chris Kern
Contrary to what some other posters said, there is not always a clear
distinction between the kanji used to spell a word (remember that the
words developed before the kanji were assigned to them). Particularly
for "akari" and "hikaru" there really aren't multiple kanji that are
commonly used for them in modern Japanese

Except with names, which these are. There are well over 100 names that
are pronounced "akari", admittedly many of them sharing one or two
of the (usually three) kanji.

That's a good point; I guess I was focusing on the question "what is
the difference between these two *words*" and ignoring the context
behind it.

However, not every spelling of the name "akari" is its own word with a
distinct meaning.

-Chris

[Michael Borgwardt]

Post by Chris Kern
However, not every spelling of the name "akari" is its own word with a
distinct meaning.

Is a name not a word? As long as there are kanji, you have meaning.

[Chris Kern]

On Fri, 07 May 2004 19:30:24 +0200, Michael Borgwardt

Post by Michael Borgwardt

Post by Chris Kern
However, not every spelling of the name "akari" is its own word with a
distinct meaning.

Is a name not a word?

Not necessarily. There are many names that are not words (i.e. have
no meaning aside from "this is a name").

Post by Michael Borgwardt
As long as there are kanji, you have meaning.

But the meanings are not necessarily distinct. Just because a word or
name can be written in multiple ways does not mean that each of those
ways has a meaning different from the others.

It's true that you can talk about the meanings of the individual kanji
in the name, but this is about the same as saying that "Johnson" means
"son of John".

-Chris

[Michael Borgwardt]

Post by Chris Kern

Post by Michael Borgwardt
As long as there are kanji, you have meaning.

But the meanings are not necessarily distinct. Just because a word or
name can be written in multiple ways does not mean that each of those
ways has a meaning different from the others.

Usually, it has.

Post by Chris Kern
It's true that you can talk about the meanings of the individual kanji
in the name, but this is about the same as saying that "Johnson" means
"son of John".

It certainly doesn't *matter* in daily usage - which is why they can get away
with hundreds of homonymes for many common names. But there is a meaning
attached, nevertheless.

[D B Malmquist]

Post by Chris Kern
On Fri, 07 May 2004 15:59:25 +0200, Michael Borgwardt

Post by Michael Borgwardt

Post by Chris Kern
Contrary to what some other posters said, there is not always a clear
distinction between the kanji used to spell a word (remember that the
words developed before the kanji were assigned to them). Particularly
for "akari" and "hikaru" there really aren't multiple kanji that are
commonly used for them in modern Japanese

Except with names, which these are. There are well over 100 names that
are pronounced "akari", admittedly many of them sharing one or two
of the (usually three) kanji.

That's a good point; I guess I was focusing on the question "what is
the difference between these two *words*" and ignoring the context
behind it.

Well, Hikari first appears as a featureless ball of light, and
when another character says "hikari...", it transforms into
a human female, and "hikari" sticks as her name. So I think the
"light" meaning is correct here. While Akari's arrival isn't
depicted, it is understood that she also appears as a ball of
light that transforms into a girl. Since both initially appear
as balls of light, and both receive names that mean, or are
homonyms for, "light", I thought that it would be interesting to
know if there is any subtle difference in meaning between "hikari"
and "akari" when used in the context of "light".

There names are written here -

http://www.gainax.co.jp/anime/konomini/chara.html

Hikari is on the upper right, Akari is on the upper left - but I
think they are written in Katakana.

- dbm

Post by Chris Kern
However, not every spelling of the name "akari" is its own word with a
distinct meaning.
-Chris

[D B Malmquist]

Post by Chris Kern
On Fri, 07 May 2004 01:24:27 -0400, D B Malmquist

Post by D B Malmquist
In "Konomini" there are two mysterious girls, one named Hikari and
one named Akari. An on-line dictionary indicates that both words
simply mean "light" -
Akari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=akari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26
Hikari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=hikari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26
Is there any difference in meaning between these two words?

Contrary to what some other posters said, there is not always a clear
distinction between the kanji used to spell a word (remember that the
words developed before the kanji were assigned to them). Particularly
for "akari" and "hikaru"

Is "hikaru" another form of the word "hikari"? (I don't know
Japanese, that's why I asked the question initially.)

Post by Chris Kern
there really aren't multiple kanji that are
commonly used for them in modern Japanese (there's one additional
kanji for "akari" but that sense of the word can also be written with
the normal kanji.)
Using a Japanese dictionary like the Daijirin is a good way to get
meanings for these words.
It seems to indicate that akari is a brighter light than hikaru (the
definition of "akari" is "akarui hikaru"). The example is "getsu no
akari" (moonlight). (Another definition is "beam of light")
The Koujien definition of akari is "mono wo akaraka ni suru hikaru"
which means "light that makes something bright", and it also has the
"beam of light" definition.
A google search indicates that "hikaru" is considerably more common
than "akari", even in phrases like moonlight and sunlight (both "getsu
no hikaru" and "taiyou no hikaru" get ten times or more the hits of
the "akari" versions).
In any case, it appears that "akari" is a narrower word than "hikaru",
in whatever way that is.

Interesting, thanks. Akari is much shier and more retiring than
Hikari, who usually (though not always) seems very outgoing and
friendly. But there is a suggestion that Hikari's intentions aren't
necessarily benevolent, so it may be relevant that their names
suggest that Akari is somehow a "brighter light" than Hikari. (Both
initially appear as featureless balls of light that transform into
cute girls. Ah, Gainax.)

- dbm

[EAC]

Post by D B Malmquist
Is "hikaru" another form of the word "hikari"?
(I don't know Japanese, that's why I asked the question initially.)

Yes, and so does "Akira".

On the other hand, the words "Akira" and "Hikaru" can also mean
"shine" (which are always assigned as boy names and never girl names).
On a related note, the Kanji character for "shine" contain a mini
Kanji character for "light".

Post by D B Malmquist
Akari is much shier and more retiring than
Hikari, who usually (though not always) seems very outgoing and
friendly. But there is a suggestion that Hikari's intentions
aren't necessarily benevolent,

Hmmm... "aren't necessarily benevolent"?

Is it because she's acting like a girl?

Remember that it was Eve who was seduced by the Snake's word and asked
her couple to eat.

Post by D B Malmquist
so it may be relevant that their names
suggest that Akari is somehow a "brighter light" than Hikari.

Doubtful, I think that Hikari is named as "Hikari" is probably due the
fact that "Hikari" is a more popular girl name than "Akari".

Besides, Akari acted like the way she is probably because she is
supposed to fill in the quiet type role, while Hikari fill in the...
er, 'high volume' type.

Anyway. If Takeru was the one who found Hikari, who found Akari, was
it Ryou?

Hikari was named "Hikari" because that's what Takeru said and a
realization of Takeru's imagination, could it be that Akari was named
as "Akari" because that's what it's said and the imagination projected
before she showed up?

Post by D B Malmquist
(Both initially appear as featureless balls of light
that transform into cute girls. Ah, Gainax.)

Yes, both came from a bright light. The bright light split, one become
light (Hikari), the other bright (Akari).

Post by D B Malmquist
- dbm

[5parrow]

Post by EAC

Post by D B Malmquist
Is "hikaru" another form of the word "hikari"?
(I don't know Japanese, that's why I asked the question initially.)

Yes, and so does "Akira".
On the other hand, the words "Akira" and "Hikaru" can also mean
"shine" (which are always assigned as boy names and never girl names).

Tell that to Utada Hikaru...

[Dot Warner]

I'm Chinese, so I'm going to give the Chinese meanings of the words,
but I suspect the Japanese meanings are close, if not identical.

Post by D B Malmquist
Akari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=akari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26

The first one is the word for a lamp/candle/etc. (i.e., a light
source that can be turned on or off.)

The second two are generic words for brightness. (In Chinese, there's
an additional connotation of "clarity".)

Post by D B Malmquist
Hikari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=hikari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26

This is the word for light. (Sunlight, moonlight, etc. all use this
word.) It also can mean "gone" in certain phrases. (For those of you
who have the right fonts: "&#21507;&#20809;&#20102;" means "it's all
been eaten", or perhaps if you translate it literally, "eaten to
shininess" :)

There's another light-related term, the "liang" of Zhuge Liang,
meaning brightness/shininess, but I have no idea what it is in
Japanese.

[D B Malmquist]

Post by Dot Warner
I'm Chinese, so I'm going to give the Chinese meanings of the words,
but I suspect the Japanese meanings are close, if not identical.

Post by D B Malmquist
Akari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=akari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26

The first one is the word for a lamp/candle/etc. (i.e., a light
source that can be turned on or off.)
The second two are generic words for brightness. (In Chinese, there's
an additional connotation of "clarity".)

Interesting, thanks. This response sorta conflicts with Chris
Kern's answer, though, so as a non-speaker of Japanese I'm left
a bit confused :(

- dbm

Post by Dot Warner

Post by D B Malmquist
Hikari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=hikari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26

This is the word for light. (Sunlight, moonlight, etc. all use this
word.) It also can mean "gone" in certain phrases. (For those of you
who have the right fonts: "&#21507;&#20809;&#20102;" means "it's all
been eaten", or perhaps if you translate it literally, "eaten to
shininess" :)
There's another light-related term, the "liang" of Zhuge Liang,
meaning brightness/shininess, but I have no idea what it is in
Japanese.

[Chris Kern]

On Fri, 07 May 2004 17:59:21 -0400, D B Malmquist

Post by D B Malmquist

Post by Dot Warner
I'm Chinese, so I'm going to give the Chinese meanings of the words,
but I suspect the Japanese meanings are close, if not identical.

Post by D B Malmquist
Akari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=akari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26

The first one is the word for a lamp/candle/etc. (i.e., a light
source that can be turned on or off.)
The second two are generic words for brightness. (In Chinese, there's
an additional connotation of "clarity".)

Interesting, thanks. This response sorta conflicts with Chris
Kern's answer, though, so as a non-speaker of Japanese I'm left
a bit confused :(

"akari" can also mean a light or candle, that's definition #2 in the
dictionary.

-Chris

[Manbow Papa]

Post by D B Malmquist
In "Konomini" there are two mysterious girls, one named Hikari and
one named Akari. An on-line dictionary indicates that both words
simply mean "light" -
Akari -

http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=akari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26

Post by D B Malmquist
Hikari -

http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=hikari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26

Post by D B Malmquist
Is there any difference in meaning between these two words?

Both means light. There are difference though.

Meaning:
hikari: light (electromagnetic wave to see)
akari: something to light up. light. source or reflection of illumination.

Usage:
Generally, akari implies a brighter portion in the dark while
hikari implies brilliant light.
You cannot bring hikari but akari (e.g. a lamp).
You say "tsuki akari" when the moon glow lights up something
so that you can see it while "tsuki no hikari" is the light that
the moon emit.
"akarui" [bright] is an adjective form of akari while hikari
donsn't have an adjective.

[D B Malmquist]

Post by Manbow Papa

Post by D B Malmquist
In "Konomini" there are two mysterious girls, one named Hikari and
one named Akari. An on-line dictionary indicates that both words
simply mean "light" -
Akari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=akari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26
Hikari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=hikari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26
Is there any difference in meaning between these two words?

Both means light. There are difference though.
hikari: light (electromagnetic wave to see)
akari: something to light up. light. source or reflection of illumination.

So it's the adventures of Lightbeam and Lightbulb, alien sisters?

Post by Manbow Papa
Generally, akari implies a brighter portion in the dark while
hikari implies brilliant light.
You cannot bring hikari but akari (e.g. a lamp).
You say "tsuki akari" when the moon glow lights up something
so that you can see it while "tsuki no hikari" is the light that
the moon emit.
"akarui" [bright] is an adjective form of akari while hikari
donsn't have an adjective.

Thanks for the answer! I can't see as how the different meanings
illuminate the storyline, though.

- dbm

[Ethan Hammond]

I think Hikari is bright light and Akari is glowing light.
I don't really know if that makes sense, but the Japanese
have a lot of words for small subtle differences like that.
You don't really hear akari that much in everyday spoken
Japanese.

--
All Purpose Cultural Randomness
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/apcr/index.html

[D B Malmquist]

Post by Ethan Hammond
I think Hikari is bright light and Akari is glowing light.

Would it be correct to say hikari means "light" but akari means
"a light"? Japanese doesn't have English-style articles, does it?

- dbm

Post by Ethan Hammond
I don't really know if that makes sense, but the Japanese
have a lot of words for small subtle differences like that.
You don't really hear akari that much in everyday spoken
Japanese.
--
All Purpose Cultural Randomness
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/apcr/index.html

[Manbow Papa]

Post by D B Malmquist

Post by Ethan Hammond
I think Hikari is bright light and Akari is glowing light.

Would it be correct to say hikari means "light" but akari means
"a light"? Japanese doesn't have English-style articles, does it?

No it doesn't. Akari means both light and a light
while hikari only means light.

[EAC]

Post by D B Malmquist
In "Konomini" there are two mysterious girls, one named Hikari and
one named Akari. An on-line dictionary indicates that both words
simply mean "light" -
Akari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=akari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26
Hikari - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/jwb/j-e/dosearch?sDict=on&H=PW&L=J&T=hikari&WC=none&fg=r&S=26
Is there any difference in meaning between these two words?
- dbm

It's hard to know the meanings of their names (if there are meanings
at all), considering no Kanji renderings of their names were given.

But chances are, most of the time if a girl is named as "Hikari", it
would probably would means "light".

As for "Akari", while I'm not as certain since no Kanji rendering was
given, it probably means "bright".

The meaning of both names if are combine probably means "bright
light", which is where they emerged from. Though Gainax's character
profile said on how Hikari emerged from a shining light that Takeru
saw. "Bright" and "shine" aren't words that mean the same, but in a
kind of way does have similiarities. Besides, unlike "bright", "shine"
is rarely (never?) attributed to a Japanese name for a girl.


As for the use of Katakana instead of Kanji for some of the characters
in the official website.

There are several reasons on why they do this:

- To make it easier to read the pronounciation of their names. The
reasons are several, so that children can read them, so can foreigners
can read them, and so that many (most?) of the Japanese can read them.

- The meanings of the names are already well known.

- To make the meanings of the names obscure.

- There are no meanings to the names at all.