輝く
kagayaku[ka̠ɡa̠ja̠kɯ̟]
The Japanese word for "shining" is 輝く (kagayaku).
輝く is an adjective used to describe something that is emitting light.
Meaning: emitting light (adj)
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter the informal onomatopoeic phrase キラキラ (kira kira), which is used to imitate sparkling or glimmering.
How do you pronounce it?
kagayaku
Did you know?
- The term キラキラ has evolved into a slang adjective 'kira-kira name' used to describe unusual or unconventional names for children that use rare kanji to look visually 'sparkly'.
- In Japanese aesthetics, the concept of 'shining' is often contrasted with 'wabi-sabi', which finds beauty in the dim, weathered and matte surfaces of old things.
- The original form of 輝く was 'kakayaku', where the 'kaka' part is believed to be an onomatopoeic sound meant to mimic the very light it describes.
Examples in context
- 星が輝く夜空。hoshi ga kagayaku yozora.A starry, shining night sky.
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are looking at a jewelry store window.
- 結衣 Yui見て、あの指輪は本当に輝くね。Mite, ano yubiwa wa hontō ni kagayaku ne.Look, that ring is really shining.
- 陽太 Yota本当だ。すごくきれいだね。Hontō da. Sugoku kirei da ne.You're right. It's very beautiful.
- 結衣 Yui陽太くんもそう思う？Yōta-kun mo sō omou?Do you think so too, Yota?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、最高に輝いているよ。Un, saikō ni kagayaite iru yo.Yeah, it's shining perfectly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 輝く, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 輝く, CC BY-SA 4.0.
