輝(かがや)き

かがやき
noun
brilliance; radiance; sparkle
natureappearance
1. brilliance; radiance; sparkle; shine
The quality of emitting or reflecting bright light, such as the shine of stars, gems, or sunlight.
星(ほし)の輝(かがや)きが美(うつく)しい。
The sparkle of the stars is beautiful.
ダイヤモンドの輝(かがや)きに目(め)を奪(うば)われた。
I was captivated by the brilliance of the diamond.
朝日(あさひ)の輝(かがや)きが湖(みずうみ)の水面(すいめん)に反射(はんしゃ)して、幻想的(げんそうてき)な光景(こうけい)だった。
The radiance of the morning sun reflected on the lake's surface, creating a fantastic sight.
2. glory; splendor
Figurative radiance or vitality, such as the glory of youth or the sparkle in someone's eyes.
青春(せいしゅん)の輝(かがや)きは二度(にど)と戻(もど)らない。
The glory of youth never comes back.
彼(かれ)の目(め)にはかつての輝(かがや)きがなかった。
His eyes no longer had their former sparkle.
長年(ながねん)の努力(どりょく)が実(みの)り、彼女(かのじょ)の人生(じんせい)は新(あら)たな輝(かがや)きを放(はな)ち始(はじ)めた。
Her years of effort bore fruit, and her life began to shine with new splendor.

The noun form of the verb 輝(かがや)く (to shine, to sparkle). Used for both literal light/brightness and figurative glory or vitality.

Usage

  • Sense 1 refers to physical light or brightness — the shine of stars, gems, sunlight
  • Sense 2 is figurative — the radiance of youth, glory of an era, sparkle in someone's eyes
  • Often used in literary or poetic contexts

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 光(ひかり): light — more general; physical light rather than the quality of shining
  • 光沢(こうたく): luster, gloss — specifically the sheen on a surface
  • 煌(きら)めき: glitter, twinkle — more about flickering or twinkling light

Related Words

Related: 輝(かがや)く (to shine, sparkle (verb form))
Compare: 光(ひかり) (light)
Compare: 光沢(こうたく) (luster, gloss)
Compare: 栄光(えいこう) (glory)
general
Added 2026.4.3 7:09 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
21500/21706_kagayaki