Translation guide
Describes a light that flickers or shines with a rapid, intermittent gleam, like stars or distant lights.
Describe stars or other celestial bodies shining with a flickering light.
The most common verb for twinkling of stars. Can also be used for lights in general.
星が瞬いている。
The stars are twinkling.
Implies a sparkling, glittering twinkle, often with a sense of beauty or brilliance.
夜空に星がきらめいていた。
The stars were twinkling in the night sky.
Noun form of 瞬く, meaning a twinkle or flicker.
星の瞬きが美しい。
The twinkling of the stars is beautiful.
Describe lights such as city lights, candles, or lamps that flicker or shimmer from a distance.
Works for any light that flickers on and off, including distant city lights.
遠くの街灯が瞬いている。
The distant streetlights are twinkling.
Onomatopoeic adverb describing a flickering or intermittent light, often used for candles or small lights.
Can be used for artificial lights that sparkle, like city lights at night.
Describe eyes that shine or sparkle with emotion, or a fleeting expression.
Means to shine or sparkle, often used for eyes full of life or emotion. Not strictly 'twinkling' but conveys a similar bright, lively gleam.
彼女の目が輝いている。
Her eyes are twinkling.
Onomatopoeic adverb for sparkling or glittering, often used for eyes shining with excitement or tears.
Refer to a very short period of time, as in 'in the twinkling of an eye'.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'in the twinkling of an eye' or 'in a flash'.
瞬く間に消えてしまった。
It disappeared in the twinkling of an eye.
Common phrase meaning 'in no time' or 'before you know it', similar to 'in the twinkling of an eye'.
あっという間に一年が過ぎた。
A year passed in the twinkling of an eye.
ろうそくの火がちらちらと揺れている。
The candle flame is flickering (twinkling).
夜景がきらめいている。
The night view is twinkling.
子供たちの目がきらきらと輝いていた。
The children's eyes were twinkling.