According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a stacked structure unit, a transparent, p-side and n-side electrodes. The unit includes n-type semiconductor layer, a light emitting portion provided on a part of the n-type semiconductor layer and p-type semiconductor layer provided on the light emitting portion. The transparent electrode is provided on the p-type semiconductor layer. The p-side electrode is provided on the transparent electrode. The n-side electrode is provided on the n-type semiconductor layer. The transparent electrode has a hole provided between the n-side and p-side electrodes. A width of the hole along an axis perpendicular to an axis from the p-side electrode toward the n-side electrode is longer than widths of the n-side and p-side electrodes. A distance between the hole and the n-side electrode is not longer than a distance between the hole and the p-side electrode.