日差し
ひざし · hizashi · JLPT N2 · noun
sunlight
☀️ 日 = sun + 差し = shining in (from 差す): sun shining in = sunlight
日差し is written 日差し: 日 means sun, and 差す means to pour or shine in through a gap. Sunlight that pours in through a window is 日差し.
日 — pictograph of the sun
日 is a pictograph of the sun, originally drawn as a circle with a dot or stroke inside representing the sun's substance. Over time the round shape was squared off into the modern rectangular form. It means 'sun' and by extension 'day'.
差 — 垂 (drooping) + 工 (work/tool)
Originally depicted a hand reaching down to grasp grain stalks of uneven length, suggesting discrepancy or unevenness. From this came the meaning 'difference' or 'to differ.' The reading chā specifically carries the sense of disparity, while other readings developed meanings like 'to dispatch' (chāi) and 'poor/lacking' (chà).