Translation guide
The English word 'rainbow' refers to the meteorological phenomenon of a multicolored arc in the sky. In Japanese, the most common and direct equivalent is 虹 (にじ). This guide covers how to talk about rainbows naturally in Japanese, including common expressions, related vocabulary, and cultural notes.
Referring to the natural phenomenon of a rainbow appearing after rain.
The standard Japanese word for 'rainbow'. Used in all contexts.
A rainbow appeared after the rain.
空に大きな虹がかかっている。
A big rainbow is spanning the sky.
Talking about the seven colors of the rainbow or rainbow colors in general.
Describing something that has rainbow colors or shines like a rainbow.
Adjectival noun meaning 'rainbow-colored' or 'iridescent'.
虹色に光るシャボン玉。
Soap bubbles shining in rainbow colors.
Referring to a double rainbow phenomenon.
Literally 'double rainbow'. The standard way to describe it.
二重の虹が見える！
I can see a double rainbow!
Loanword from English, used casually or in media.
ダブルレインボーって本当に珍しいよね。
Double rainbows are really rare, aren't they?
Using 'rainbow' symbolically, e.g., for hope, diversity, or LGBTQ+ pride.
Used metaphorically as in English. The rainbow flag is レインボーフラッグ or 虹色の旗.
虹は希望の象徴です。
The rainbow is a symbol of hope.
レインボーフラッグは多様性を表す。
The rainbow flag represents diversity.
Rainbows are counted using the counter 本 (ほん) for long, thin objects, because a rainbow is seen as an arc stretching across the sky. For example: 虹が一本出ている (にじがいっぽんでている) 'There is one rainbow'.
虹 (にじ) is the native Japanese word and is used in most contexts. レインボー is a loanword used in compound words like レインボーブリッジ (Rainbow Bridge) or in casual, trendy expressions. For the natural phenomenon, stick with 虹.
Literally 'jewel beetle color', refers to an iridescent sheen like a rainbow. Often used figuratively for ambiguous statements.
玉虫色の羽根。
Iridescent wings.