回転灯(かいてんとう)

かいてんとう
noun
rotating light; emergency beacon; revolving light
transportationtechnology
1. rotating light; revolving beacon; emergency light
A light with a rotating mechanism that produces a flashing or sweeping beam, used on emergency vehicles, construction sites, and warning systems.
パトカーの回転灯(かいてんとう)が光(ひか)っていた。
The police car's emergency light was flashing.
工事(こうじ)現場(げんば)に黄色(きいろ)い回転灯(かいてんとう)が設置(せっち)されている。
Yellow rotating lights are set up at the construction site.
救急車(きゅうきゅうしゃ)の赤(あか)い回転灯(かいてんとう)が見(み)えたので、道(みち)を開(あ)けた。
I saw the ambulance's red rotating light and made way.

Composed of 回転(かいてん) (rotation) + 灯(とう) (light, lamp). The color of the 回転灯(かいてんとう) in Japan indicates the vehicle type: 赤色(あかいろ) (red) for emergency vehicles like police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances; 黄色(きいろ) (yellow) for construction and road service vehicles; 青色(あおいろ) (blue) for voluntary crime prevention patrols.

Modern versions often use LED technology rather than actual rotating bulbs, but the term 回転灯(かいてんとう) persists.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • パトランプ: patrol lamp — casual term for a police car's flashing light
  • 警光灯(けいこうとう): warning light — a more formal term for vehicle-mounted emergency lights
  • サイレン: siren — the audible warning, often used together with the rotating light

Related Words

Compare: サイレン (siren)
general
Added 2026.4.27 20:21 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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