Japanese word

輝く

Pronunciation

Romajikagayaku

Meaning

  • verbshine

Example

夜空の星が輝きます。yo zora no hoshi ga kagaya ki ma su

The stars in the night sky shine.

Illustration for 輝く (shine)

More examples

子どもたちの目が輝きます。ko do mo ta chi no me ga kagaya ki ma su

The children's eyes sparkle.

Core concept

Expresses light spreading from something and making it look bright or vivid.

Common phrases

  • きらきら輝くki ra ki ra kagaya ku

    sparkle brightly

  • 美しく輝くutsuku shi ku kagaya ku

    shine beautifully

Similar words

光るhikaru: To show visible brightness by emitting or reflecting light.

Definition in Japanese

光を発して明るく見える。hikari o has shi te aka ru ku mi e ru

Word origin

輝く (kagayaku) is a native Japanese word with no established foreign source, while 輝 (ki, "shine") provides the kanji spelling associated with its meaning.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 輝く (kagayaku) can describe stars, lights, eyes, or a person's talent, extending the idea of visible brightness to ability.

Other meanings

  • sparkleverb
  • twinkleverb

Opposites

  • くすむkusumubecome dullverb

Related words

  • 輝かしいkagayakashiibrillianti-adjective

Word lists with this word