lightning-bug, firefly
On'yomi (音読み)
- ケイ
Kun'yomi (訓読み)
- ほたる
About this kanji
The kanji 蛍, read as "ほたる" (hotaru) in kun'yomi and "ケイ" (kei) in on'yomi, primarily means "firefly" or "lightning-bug." This kanji is mostly used as a noun, reflecting its association with these glowing insects. You can find it in compounds like 蛍光灯 (けいこうとう), which means "fluorescent lamp," referring to lights that emit a bright glow just like fireflies. Another compound, 蛍光 (けいこう), translates to "fluorescence," the phenomenon of glowing under specific lights. Also, 蛍火 (ほたるび) means "glow of a firefly," emphasizing its natural light. Note that while often used in scientific contexts, this kanji also evokes a sense of nostalgia in Japanese literature and poetry.
Example sentences
蛍の光が美しい夜。
The glow of fireflies is beautiful at night.
Meanings across languages
- English
- lightning-bug, firefly
- Tiếng Việt
- đom đóm
- 日本語
- 蛍
- 한국어
- 반딧불이
- 中文
- 萤火虫
- id
- kunang-kunang
- th
- แมลงหิ่งห้อย
- es
- luciérnaga
- fr
- lucioles
- de
- Glühwürmchen
- pt
- vaga-lume
Common compounds
- 蛍光灯けいこうとうfluorescent lamp, fluorescent light, person who is slow to react
- 蛍光けいこうfluorescence
- 蛍火ほたるびglow of a firefly, nearly extinguished fire, embers
- 蛍石ほたるいしfluorite, fluorspar
- 蛍袋ほたるぶくろbellflower
- 蛍雪けいせつdiligence in studying (e.g. continuing to study even in such poor light as offered by a firefly or that reflected by snow), diligent study
- 蛍藺ほたるいScirpus hotarui (species of bulrush)
- 蛍草ほたるぐさdayflower
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