Translation guide
The natural electrical discharge in the sky, often seen during storms. In Japanese, the most common word is 雷 (kaminari), which can refer to both lightning and thunder. This guide helps you choose the right expression based on context.
Referring to the phenomenon of lightning in the sky, including flashes and bolts.
The most common and general word for lightning (and thunder). Used in everyday conversation.
Specifically refers to a lightning bolt or flash. More literary or descriptive than 雷.
稲妻が走った。
A bolt of lightning streaked across the sky.
Means 'electric light' or 'lightning flash'. Often used in compounds or fixed phrases.
電光石火のごとく
with lightning speed
Describing the event of lightning hitting something.
The standard way to say 'lightning strikes'. 落ちる means 'to fall'.
昨日、近くの木に雷が落ちた。
Yesterday, lightning struck a nearby tree.
A noun meaning 'lightning strike'. Common in news and formal contexts.
Referring to the combination of thunder and lightning, or the storm itself.
Using 'lightning' to describe something very fast or sudden.
A four-character idiom meaning 'with lightning speed'. Used as an adjective phrase.
電光石火の早業だった。
It was a lightning-fast feat.
Means 'like lightning', used for speed or suddenness.
彼は稲妻のような速さで走った。
He ran with lightning speed.
While 雷 (kaminari) is lightning, 電気 (denki) means electricity in general. Saying 電気が光った would mean 'the electricity flashed', which is unnatural for natural lightning.
In Japanese, 雷 can mean both the flash (lightning) and the sound (thunder). If you need to be specific, use 稲妻 for the flash and 雷鳴 (らいめい) for the thunderclap, but in daily conversation, 雷 alone is sufficient.
落雷による停電が発生した。
A power outage occurred due to a lightning strike.
There will be thunderstorms tomorrow.