火花
hibana[çiba̠na̠]
The English phrase sparks is translated into Japanese as 火花 (hibana).
火花 refers to sparks. You can also use the verb phrase 火花を散らす to describe the physical action of sparks flying or scattering.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is hibana.
Did you know?
- While 火花 describes a spark, the word for 'fireworks' 花火 simply flips the two characters of 火花.
- In Japanese, you can use the phrase 火花を散らす to describe a heated argument or a fierce rivalry between two people.
- The word 火花 is a compound of 'fire' and 'flower', literally translating to 'fire-flower'.
Examples in context
- 機械から火花が出ました。Kikai kara hibana ga demashita.Sparks came out of the machine.
- 火花が飛び散っています。Hibana ga tobichitte imasu.Sparks are flying everywhere.
- 火花が目に当たらないように注意してください。Hibana ga me ni ataranai you ni chuui shite kudasai.Please be careful so the sparks don't hit your eyes.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are watching someone weld metal.
- 美咲 Misakiすごい火花が出ているね。sugoi hibana ga dete iru ne.There are so many sparks coming out.
- 健太 Kentaそうだね。危ないから離れよう。sou da ne. abunai kara hanareyou.Yeah. Let's move away because it's dangerous.
- 美咲 Misaki健太、あっちに火花が飛んできたよ！Kenta, acchi ni hibana ga tondekita yo!Kenta, a spark flew over there!
- 健太 Kenta本当だ。気をつけてね。hontou da. ki o tsukete ne.You're right. Please be careful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 火花, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 火花, CC BY-SA 4.0.
