Translation guide
The English word 'rainbow' refers to the meteorological phenomenon of a multicolored arc in the sky. In Japanese, the most common and direct equivalent is 虹 (にじ). This guide covers how to talk about rainbows naturally in Japanese, including common expressions, related vocabulary, and cultural notes.
Referring to the natural phenomenon of a rainbow appearing after rain.
The standard Japanese word for 'rainbow'. Used in all contexts.
雨のあとに虹が出た。
A rainbow appeared after the rain.
空に大きな虹がかかっている。
A big rainbow is spanning the sky.
Talking about the seven colors of the rainbow or rainbow colors in general.
Describing something that has rainbow colors or shines like a rainbow.
Adjectival noun meaning 'rainbow-colored' or 'iridescent'.
虹色に光るシャボン玉。
Soap bubbles shining in rainbow colors.
Literally 'jewel beetle color', refers to an iridescent sheen like a rainbow. Often used figuratively for ambiguous statements.
玉虫色の羽根。
Iridescent wings.
Referring to a double rainbow phenomenon.
Literally 'double rainbow'. The standard way to describe it.
二重の虹が見える！
I can see a double rainbow!
Loanword from English, used casually or in media.
ダブルレインボーって本当に珍しいよね。
Double rainbows are really rare, aren't they?
Using 'rainbow' symbolically, e.g., for hope, diversity, or LGBTQ+ pride.
Used metaphorically as in English. The rainbow flag is レインボーフラッグ or 虹色の旗.
虹は希望の象徴です。
The rainbow is a symbol of hope.
レインボーフラッグは多様性を表す。
The rainbow flag represents diversity.
Rainbows are counted using the counter 本 (ほん) for long, thin objects, because a rainbow is seen as an arc stretching across the sky. For example: 虹が一本出ている (にじがいっぽんでている) 'There is one rainbow'.
虹 (にじ) is the native Japanese word and is used in most contexts. レインボー is a loanword used in compound words like レインボーブリッジ (Rainbow Bridge) or in casual, trendy expressions. For the natural phenomenon, stick with 虹.