We Can Borrow Them

木漏れ日

The symbols above constitute a Japanese phrase for “sunlight filtering through tree leaves.” The English spelling of the phrase is komorebi.  I see no need to reinvent the wheel, or create a new word in a language that already has some 1,025,110 others.  It disappoints me that the manufacturers of the English language failed to come up with a word that describes sunlight filtering through tree leaves. Dappled sunlight may be the closest thing to a phrase that mirrors the Japanese but I prefer komorebi.  Will you join me in introducing it as a new member of the English language from this point forward?

About John Swinburn

"Love not what you are but what you may become."― Miguel de Cervantes
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3 Responses to We Can Borrow Them

  1. I know nothing with certainty, Teresa. I should have clarified by saying “I know of no English word describing what komorebi describes.” Do you know of an English word?

  2. Teresa says:

    How do you know there is no English word for it?

  3. robin andrea says:

    I love this. I have always wanted a word for sunlight filtering through tree leaves. Now I will spend the day wondering what other words I have been missing.

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