How to say "lightning" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

雷かみなりJLPT N3approx.Common
nounThe general word for the phenomenon, covering the flash, the bolt, and the thunder as well; the natural choice when speaking of a storm, though for the flash alone 稲妻 is more precise.
子供達こどもたちは雷かみなりにおびえた。↗
The thunder scared the children.
稲妻いなずまCommon
nounThe flash of lightning itself — the streak of light across the sky — as opposed to the thunder; choose it when you want to describe the bolt rather than the storm as a whole.
彼女かのじょは稲妻いなずまの閃光せんこうを見みて悲鳴ひめいをあげた。↗
She screamed at the flash of lightning.
電光でんこうCommon
nounLightning as light: the characters combine 'electricity' and 'light'. Unlike 雷 it does not cover the thunder, so it points purely to the flash of light.

Use 雷 for the phenomenon as a whole, thunder included; 稲妻 for the flash or bolt itself; 電光 for lightning viewed strictly as a flash of light.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents

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