A semiconductor light emitting device comprising: a semiconductor layer including a first semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer having a second conductivity type, and a light emitting layer provided between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer; an electrode pad provided in the vicinity of an end of the semiconductor layer; a first electrode connected to the electrode pad with one end, extending from the electrode pad, and being connected to one surface of the first semiconductor layer; a second electrode connected to the second semiconductor layer; and a first insulating layer provided on a side surface of the second electrode, the side surface being adjacent to the first electrode, the first electrode being in contact with a first surface of the first semiconductor layer, the first surface being a surface on a side where the light emitting layer is provided, the second electrode being in contact with the second semiconductor layer on a side of the second semiconductor layer facing away from the first semiconductor layer, characterized in that the first electrode has an electrode width, the electrode width being a length along a surface that connects the first electrode to the first semiconductor layer, the length being in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the first electrode extends, the electrode width decreasing with distance from the electrode pad; in that the semiconductor light emitting device further comprises a layer provided between part of the first semiconductor layer and part of the first electrode and having a conductivity less than the conductivity of the first electrode; in that the layer is in contact with the first surface; in that the first electrode includes a first portion that is in contact with the first surface and provided adjacent to the layer, and a second portion that is in contact with the layer at a side facing away from a surface of the layer that is in contact with the first surface; and in that the first electrode includes a step produced between the first portion and the second portion. a semiconductor layer including a first semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer having a second conductivity type, and a light emitting layer provided between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer; an electrode pad provided in the vicinity of an end of the semiconductor layer; a first electrode connected to the electrode pad with one end, extending from the electrode pad, and being connected to one surface of the first semiconductor layer; a second electrode connected to the second semiconductor layer; and a first insulating layer provided on a side surface of the second electrode, the side surface being adjacent to the first electrode, the first electrode being in contact with a first surface of the first semiconductor layer, the first surface being a surface on a side where the light emitting layer is provided, the second electrode being in contact with the second semiconductor layer on a side of the second semiconductor layer facing away from the first semiconductor layer, characterized in that the first electrode has an electrode width, the electrode width being a length along a surface that connects the first electrode to the first semiconductor layer, the length being in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the first electrode extends, the electrode width decreasing with distance from the electrode pad; in that the semiconductor light emitting device further comprises a layer provided between part of the first semiconductor layer and part of the first electrode and having a conductivity less than the conductivity of the first electrode; in that the layer is in contact with the first surface; in that the first electrode includes a first portion that is in contact with the first surface and provided adjacent to the layer, and a second portion that is in contact with the layer at a side facing away from a surface of the layer that is in contact with the first surface; and in that the first electrode includes a step produced between the first portion and the second portion.