虹
niji[ɲ̟iʑi]
The English phrase 'rainbow' is translated into Japanese as 虹 (niji). Wiktionary also lists 虹霓 (kōgei).
Meaning: multicoloured arch in the sky (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 虹 | niji | [ɲ̟iʑi] (narrow) |
| 虹霓 | kōgei | [ko̞ːɡe̞ː] (narrow) |
The word refers to a multicoloured arch in the sky.
Which one should you use?
虹 (niji) is the common word for rainbow. In contrast, 虹霓 (kōgei) is a highly formal, literary or archaic term used primarily in classical literature.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
niji
Did you know?
- The word 虹 was historically written using 'man’yōgana', a system where Chinese characters were used for their sounds rather than their meanings.
- In Japanese folklore, rainbows are sometimes viewed as bridges between the earthly world and the heavens.
- In Japanese pop culture and anime, a 虹 is frequently used as a visual shorthand for a miracle or a moment of divine destiny.
Examples in context
- 虹は７色だ。The rainbow has seven colors.This sentence is useful for stating how many colors are in the 虹.Tatoeba #122967 by small_snow, translation #281035 by CK
- 虹は見えた？Did you see the rainbow?This sentence is useful for asking if someone saw the 虹.Tatoeba #8651958 by small_snow, translation #8394209 by CK
- 今朝の虹みた？Did you see the rainbow this morning?Tatoeba #8651862 by small_snow, translation #3738029 by CK
- 今日はきれいなにじが見えた。I saw a beautiful rainbow today.
- 私は虹色のシャツを着ています。I am wearing a rainbow-colored shirt.
- 子供たちは虹を見つけた時に喜びます。Children get excited when they find a rainbow.
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Himari and Kenta are looking at the sky after a rain shower.
- 陽葵 Himari見て、あそこに虹が出てるよ！Mite, asoko ni niji ga deteru yo!Look, there's a rainbow over there!
- 健太 Kenta本当だ！すごくきれいな虹だね。Hontō da! Sugoku kireina niji da ne.You're right! It's a very beautiful rainbow.
- 陽葵 Himari写真に撮っておこうか。Shashin ni totte okō ka.Shall we take a photo of it?
- 健太 Kentaいいよ。早く撮ろう！Ii yo. Hayaku torō!Sure. Let's take it quickly!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rainbow” translations and entries 虹, 虹霓, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 虹, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
