Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 稲妻 | inazuma | [ina̠zɨma̠] (narrow) |
| 雷光 | raikō | [ɾa̠iko̞ː] (narrow) |
| 稲光 | inabikari | /inabiꜛkaiꜜ/ (Kagoshima) /inabikaꜛiꜜ/ |
| 雷 | kaminari | [ka̠mʲina̠ɾʲi] (narrow) [kã̠nːa̠ɾʲi] (narrow) |
In Japanese, different words are used depending on whether you are focusing on the flash of light or the sound of thunder. For example, the phrase 雷の一撃 (kaminari no ichigeki) is used to mean 'a single lightning strike'. To say that 'it is thundering' or 'thunder is roaring', you should use the verb combination 雷が鳴る (kaminari ga naru).
What does it mean word for word?
The word 稲妻 (inazuma) literally means 'rice plant lightning', which refers to an ancient belief that lightning strikes rice plants.
Which one should you use?
The terms used for lightning vary by focus: 稲妻 specifically refers to the visual flash of lightning. 稲光 is also used to describe the momentary flash of light seen during a storm, focusing on that visual phenomenon. In contrast, 雷 is a broader term often used to refer to both the lightning and the thunder. Finally, 雷光 is a specific term describing the light or brilliance of a lightning flash.
How do you pronounce it?
inazuma
Did you know?
- Ancient Japanese people believed that lightning was responsible for fertilising rice plants. This is why the term 稲妻 combines the words for 'rice plant' and 'spouse'.
Examples in context
- 避雷針って何？What's a lightning rod?This sentence is useful for asking about a lightning rod using 雷.Tatoeba #10112052 by small_snow, translation #9054891 by shekitten
- 空に稲妻が走った。Lightning flashed in the sky.This sentence shows how to describe lightning flashing in the sky using 稲妻.Tatoeba #9418926 by small_snow, translation #9418906 by AlanF_US
- 雷がその塔に落ちた。Lightning struck the tower.This sentence demonstrates the use of 雷 to describe lightning striking a tower.Tatoeba #78557 by bunbuku, translation #325159 by CK
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Watching a thunderstorm from a window.
- 大翔 Hirotoすごい稲妻が見えたよ！Sugoi inazuma ga mieta yo!I saw a huge bolt of lightning!
- 美咲 Misaki本当だ、すごく明るかったね。Hontō da, sugoku akarukatta ne.You're right, it was really bright.
- 大翔 Hiroto稲妻のあとに音が聞こえるね。Inazuma no ato ni oto ga kikoeru ne.I can hear the sound after the lightning.
- 美咲 Misaki急いで窓を閉めよう。Isoide mado o shimeyō.Let's hurry and close the window.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lightning” translations and entries 稲妻, 雷光, 稲光, 雷, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 稲妻, 雷, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
