Translation guide
A portable battery-powered electric light. In Japanese, the most common word is 懐中電灯, but other terms exist for specific types.
A typical portable electric light held in the hand, used for illumination in the dark.
The most common and general term for a flashlight. Suitable for all contexts.
懐中電灯を持ってきてください。
Please bring a flashlight.
停電のときは懐中電灯が役に立つ。
A flashlight comes in handy during a power outage.
Loanword from English, used especially in technical or outdoor contexts, or for certain types of flashlights (e.g., tactical). Less common in everyday speech.
このフラッシュライトは防水です。
This flashlight is waterproof.
A compact, often pen-shaped flashlight used for close-up tasks or medical examinations.
Specifically a penlight, often used by doctors or for inspections. Also common at concerts (idol fans use them).
医者がペンライトで瞳孔を調べた。
The doctor examined the pupils with a penlight.
Literally 'small flashlight'. A descriptive term, not a fixed product name.
小型懐中電灯をカバンに入れている。
I keep a small flashlight in my bag.
A light worn on the head, leaving hands free, often used for outdoor activities or work.
Commonly used for headlamps in camping, caving, or work. Note: also means vehicle headlight, but context distinguishes.
夜の登山にはヘッドライトが必要だ。
You need a headlamp for night hiking.
Synonym for headlamp, slightly less common than ヘッドライト but still understood.
A very small flashlight attached to a keychain or used as an emergency light.
A small light attached to a keychain. Often called just 'キーライト'.
キーホルダーライトで鍵穴を照らした。
I illuminated the keyhole with a keychain light.
The English word 'flashlight' is a compound. In Japanese, フラッシュ (flash) and ライト (light) are separate words. フラッシュライト is understood but less common than 懐中電灯.
懐中電灯 is the standard term for any handheld flashlight. フラッシュライト is a loanword often used for tactical, outdoor, or high-performance flashlights, or in translated materials. In daily conversation, 懐中電灯 is safer.
懐中電灯の電池が切れた。
The flashlight batteries are dead.
We turned on our headlamps and entered the cave.