Translation guide
The English word 'flare' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses: a sudden burst of flame or light, a gradual widening in shape, a sudden outburst of emotion or activity, and a signal light used in emergencies. It also includes related expressions like 'flare up'.
Describing a flame or light that suddenly burns brighter or larger, or a device that produces such a burst.
General word for 'flame' or 'blaze'. Can be used for a sudden burst of flame, often with verbs like 上がる (to rise) or 燃え上がる (to flare up).
突然、炎が上がった。
Suddenly, a flame flared up.
Means 'flash' or 'flare' of light. Often used for a sudden, brief burst of light, like a camera flash or lightning.
閃光が走った。
A flare of light flashed.
Specifically a 'flare' as a pyrotechnic signal or illumination device, used in military or emergency contexts.
救助隊が照明弾を打ち上げた。
The rescue team launched a flare.
Describing something that becomes wider at one end, like a skirt or a pair of pants.
The loanword 'flare' is commonly used in fashion to describe a flared silhouette. Often used as a noun or with する.
このスカートは裾がフレアになっている。
This skirt has a flared hem.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to spread out' or 'to widen'. Can describe a shape that flares out.
Describing a sudden, intense expression of emotion (like anger) or a sudden increase in activity (like violence or a disease).
Means 'to intensify' or 'to flare up'. Used for conflicts, violence, or situations that suddenly become more severe.
紛争が再び激化した。
The conflict flared up again.
Means 'to break out' or 'to flare up', typically for wars, riots, or epidemics. Emphasizes a sudden start.
暴動が勃発した。
A riot flared up.
Literally 'anger explodes'. A common way to express a sudden outburst of anger, similar to 'flare up' in emotion.
彼の一言で彼女の怒りが爆発した。
Her anger flared up at his remark.
A device that produces a bright light or smoke as a signal, especially for help.
General term for a signal flare, used in maritime or distress situations.
船が信号弾を発射した。
The ship fired a signal flare.
Distress signal; can refer to a flare used to indicate an emergency.
遭難信号を送る。
Send a distress flare.
In Japanese, 'flare' as a burst of light is often translated as 閃光 (flash) or 炎 (flame). For a sudden bright light without fire, 閃光 is more appropriate. For a flame that grows, use 炎 with verbs like 燃え上がる.
The phrasal verb 'flare up' does not have a single direct equivalent. Use context-appropriate verbs like 激化する (for situations), 爆発する (for emotions), or 燃え上がる (for fire). Avoid literal translations like フレアアップ.
裾に向かって広がるデザイン。
A design that flares out toward the hem.