灯り

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 灯り is read as あかり and is a noun for light or illumination that brightens a dark place.
• Basic usage: A glowing light appears in 灯りがともる, while a light used for guidance appears in 携帯電話の灯りを頼りに.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Light and lamp
  • 灯り mainly focuses on visible light, though context may extend it to the lamp or fixture producing that light.
• Spelling 明かり
  • The same reading is also commonly written 明かり; 灯り readily evokes illumination from a lit source.