(ひばな)

ひばな
noun
spark
1. spark
A small, bright particle of burning material thrown off from a fire, or a flash of light produced by electrical discharge or friction.
火花(ひばな)()った。
Sparks flew.
溶接(ようせつ)火花(ひばな)()ぶ。
Welding sparks fly.
電車(でんしゃ)のレールから火花(ひばな)()ているのが()えた。
I could see sparks coming from the train's rails.
2. spark (figurative), clash
A figurative spark of conflict or intense competition between people. Used in the expression 火花(ひばな)()らす (to clash fiercely).
二人(ふたり)火花(ひばな)()らして議論(ぎろん)した。
The two clashed heatedly in their argument.
ライバル同士(どうし)火花(ひばな)()らす。
Rivals clash fiercely.
決勝戦(けっしょうせん)両者(りょうしゃ)火花(ひばな)()らし、観客(かんきゃく)()かせた。
Both competitors clashed fiercely in the final, thrilling the audience.

USAGE:
The expression 火花(ひばな)()らす literally means "to scatter sparks" and figuratively means "to clash fiercely" or "to compete intensely." This is one of the most common uses of the word.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 火花(ひばな)()る: sparks fly
  • 火花(ひばな)()らす: to clash fiercely, to compete intensely
  • 火花(ひばな)()ぶ: sparks fly (literal)
  • 電気(でんき)火花(ひばな): electrical spark