Translation guide
How to express 'flashing' in Japanese, covering blinking lights, sudden bright light, and the act of exposing oneself.
Describing a light that turns on and off repeatedly, like a warning light or a sign.
The most common word for a light blinking on and off, used for warning lights, electronic indicators, etc.
Describing a single, brief burst of bright light, like lightning or a camera flash.
The act of exposing one's genitals in public, often for shock value.
General term for exposure, but in context can refer to indecent exposure. Often used in compounds like 露出狂 (exhibitionist).
フラッシュ (flash) usually refers to a camera flash or a sudden bright light. For blinking lights, use 点滅 (てんめつ) or チカチカ.
警告灯が点滅している。
The warning light is flashing.
信号が点滅している。
The traffic light is flashing.
パソコンのランプが点滅している。
The computer's light is blinking.
An onomatopoeic word for a flickering or blinking light, often with a slightly annoying or irregular nuance.
蛍光灯がチカチカしてる。
The fluorescent light is flickering.
A more formal or literary term for lights flashing on and off, often used in written descriptions.
遠くの灯台の光が明滅していた。
The light of the distant lighthouse was flashing.
A flash of light, often used for lightning, explosions, or camera flashes. Can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.
カメラの閃光が眩しかった。
The camera flash was dazzling.
稲妻の閃光が空を走った。
A flash of lightning streaked across the sky.
Loanword from English, specifically for a camera flash or a sudden bright light in photography.
フラッシュを焚いて写真を撮る。
Take a photo using the flash.
Onomatopoeia for a sudden, sharp flash of light, like lightning or a spark.
ピカッと光ったと思ったら、雷が落ちた。
There was a flash, and then lightning struck.
彼は公然わいせつ罪で逮捕された。露出行為をしていたらしい。
He was arrested for public indecency. Apparently he was flashing.
Literally 'to expose one's lower body', a more specific phrase for flashing.
男が公園で下半身を露出していた。
A man was flashing in the park.