1.
flash; flash of light; glint
A sudden, brief burst of bright light. Used for lightning, camera flashes, explosions, and figuratively for sudden flashes of insight or inspiration.
閃光が走った。
A flash of light shot across.
稲妻の閃光が夜空を照らした。
A flash of lightning lit up the night sky.
爆発の閃光と同時に、激しい衝撃波が襲ってきた。
Simultaneously with the flash of the explosion, a violent shockwave hit.
Compound of 閃 (to flash/glint) + 光 (light). Describes an intense, instantaneous burst of light.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 閃光が走る (a flash runs/streaks)
- 閃光が光る (a flash shines)
- 閃光弾 (flashbang; flash grenade)
- 閃光のように (like a flash — used for speed)
USAGE NOTE:
More dramatic and literary than simply saying 光 (light). Conveys the sudden, intense quality of the flash. Also used in compound 閃光弾 (flashbang). Be careful not to confuse with the many other せんこう homophones: 先行 (precedence), 専攻 (major/specialty), 線香 (incense).