稲妻
inazuma[ina̠zɨma̠]
A bolt of lightning in Japanese is 稲妻 (inazuma).
稲妻 refers specifically to the visual flash of lightning seen during a storm.
Which one should you use?
While 稲妻 describes the visual bolt or flash, the term 雷 (kaminari) is a broader word that often encompasses the sound of thunder as well. Additionally, if you want to refer specifically to a lightning strike, the act of lightning hitting the ground, the term 落雷 (rakurai) is used.
How do you pronounce it?
inazuma
Did you know?
- The word 稲妻 literally translates to 'rice wife'.
Examples in context
- すごいですね、あの雷鳴と落雷！(Sugoi desu ne, ano raimei to rakurai!)Wow, that thunder and lightning!
- 空に一筋の稲妻が見えた。Sora ni hitosuji no inazuma ga mieta.A single bolt of lightning was seen in the sky.
- 激しい稲妻が走った。Hageshii inazuma ga hashitta.A violent bolt of lightning flashed.
- 窓の外で稲妻が光った。Mado no soto de inazuma ga hikatta.A bolt of lightning flashed outside the window.
Example conversation
Two people are watching a heavy thunderstorm from inside their house.
- 美咲 Misakiあ、今、大きな稲妻が走ったよ！A, ima, ookina inazuma ga hashitta yo!Ah, a big bolt of lightning just flashed!
- 蓮 Ren本当だ、すごい迫力だね。Hontou da, sugoi hakuryoku da ne.You're right, it's really powerful.
- 美咲 Misaki雷もすごくなってきているね。Kaminari mo sugoku natte kite iru ne.The thunder is getting intense too.
- 蓮 Ren美咲、窓から離れたほうがいいよ。Misaki, mado kara hanareta hou ga ii yo.Misaki, you should step away from the window.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 稲妻, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 稲妻, CC BY-SA 4.0.
