Japanese Word for Lightning — 稲妻 (Inazuma)

Readings

稲妻いなずまinazuma (lightning bolt)
雷かみなりkaminari (thunder/lightning)
電光でんこうdenkō (lightning, electric light)

Meaning

Lightning. 稲妻 (inazuma — "rice wife") is the poetic word for a lightning bolt. 雷 (kaminari — "god sound") covers both thunder and lightning. Lightning was traditionally believed to fertilize the rice fields.

Example words

雷神

raijin

thunder god

落雷

rakurai

lightning strike

電光石火

denkō sekka

lightning speed (electric-light flint-fire)

雷雨

raiu

thunderstorm

See Japanese Symbol for Lightning for the full reference. 電光石火 (denkō sekka — lightning and flint sparks) is a classic idiom for something blindingly fast. Japan's 雷神 (Raijin) is one of Shinto's most powerful deities, depicted as a fierce demon surrounded by drums of thunder.

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