Translation guide
The English word 'shiny' describes a surface that reflects light, often with a smooth or polished appearance. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is ピカピカ (pikapika), an onomatopoeic word for something clean and gleaming. Other options depend on the type of shine: 光る (hikaru) for emitting light, 輝く (kagayaku) for brilliant radiance, and つやつや (tsuyatsuya) for a healthy, moist luster.
Describe something that is clean, polished, or reflects light brightly, like a new car, a clean floor, or a bald head.
An onomatopoeic word that vividly describes something shiny, clean, and gleaming. Often used for polished surfaces, new objects, or things that sparkle. Can be used as an adjective (ピカピカの) or adverb (ピカピカに).
彼の車はいつもピカピカだ。
His car is always shiny.
床をピカピカに磨いた。
I polished the floor until it was shiny.
The te-iru form of 光る (to shine), meaning 'is shining' or 'is shiny'. Used for objects that reflect or emit light. More literal than ピカピカ.
この指輪は光っている。
This ring is shiny.
Onomatopoeia for a greasy or oily shine, often with a negative connotation (e.g., oily skin, greasy food). Not for clean, polished shine.
Use only for oily or greasy shine, not for clean or polished surfaces.
顔がテカテカしている。
My face is shiny (with oil).
Describe a smooth, reflective surface with a healthy or attractive sheen, like glossy hair, lip gloss, or polished wood.
Onomatopoeia for a healthy, moist luster. Commonly used for hair, skin, lips, and fruits. Implies a smooth, attractive shine.
彼女の髪はつやつやしている。
Her hair is shiny and glossy.
つやつやの唇。
Shiny lips.
Literally 'has luster'. A more standard way to say something is glossy. つや is a noun meaning luster or gloss.
このテーブルはつやがある。
This table has a shiny finish.
Formal term meaning 'has gloss/luster'. Used for materials like paper, paint, or fabric. Often in product descriptions.
光沢のある紙。
Shiny paper.
Describe something that shines with many small points of light, like jewels, stars, or excited eyes.
Onomatopoeia for sparkling or glittering. Used for stars, jewels, eyes, or anything that twinkles. Often implies a cute or pretty shine.
星がキラキラ輝いている。
The stars are shining brightly.
キラキラした目。
Sparkling eyes.
Verb meaning 'to shine brilliantly' or 'to glitter'. Used for stars, jewels, and metaphorically for people or achievements. More formal than キラキラ.
Describe a wet or moist shine, like teary eyes, wet lips, or a damp surface.
Onomatopoeia for eyes or surfaces that are shiny with moisture. Often used for teary eyes, or eyes full of emotion. Can also describe moist, glossy lips.
彼女の目がうるうるしていた。
Her eyes were shiny with tears.
Literally 'wet and shining'. A descriptive phrase for any surface that is shiny because it's wet.
雨で道路が濡れて光っている。
The road is shiny from the rain.
ピカピカ is for clean, polished surfaces (floors, cars). キラキラ is for sparkling, glittering things (stars, jewels). つやつや is for a smooth, moist luster (hair, lips).
The English word 'shiny' is often translated as 光っている, but this can sound unnatural. Use onomatopoeic words like ピカピカ or つやつや for a more natural, vivid description.
The diamond is shiny/sparkling.