照らす

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 照らす is read as てらす and can mean “to illuminate” or “to shine on”, depending on context.
• Basic usage: The examples show moonlight illuminating the sea and a flashlight lighting the ground.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Distinguishing senses and uses
  • This is transitive: a light source illuminates an object. Distinguish it from intransitive 照る, where light or sunshine shines.