輝く・耀く・赫く|かがやくkagayaku[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
輝く輝く is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners; use it when writing the word.
耀く耀く is rarely used, so learners will seldom encounter it. It is a less common written variant of the same word, not the default choice.
赫く赫く is rarely used, so learners will seldom encounter it. It is a less common written variant of the same word, not the default choice.
Definitions
- godan verb, intransitive verbto shine; to sparkle; to twinkle; to glitter; to glisten
- godan verb, intransitive verbto light up (with happiness, hope, etc.); to beam; to gleam; to glow
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 輝く（かがやく） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 輝きます（かがやきます） |
| Negative (nai) | 輝かない（かがやかない） |
| polite (masen) | 輝きません（かがやきません） |
| classical zu / nu | 輝かず・輝かぬ（かがやかず・かがやかぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 輝いた（かがやいた） |
| polite (mashita) | 輝きました（かがやきました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 輝かなかった（かがやかなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 輝きませんでした（かがやきませんでした） |
| Te form | 輝いて（かがやいて） |
| Potential | 輝ける（かがやける） |
| Passive | 輝かれる（かがやかれる） |
| Causative | 輝かせる（かがやかせる） |
| Causative passive | 輝かせられる・輝かされる（かがやかせられる・かがやかされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 輝けば（かがやけば） |
| tara | 輝いたら（かがやいたら） |
| Volitional | 輝こう（かがやこう） |
| polite (mashou) | 輝きましょう（かがやきましょう） |
| Imperative | 輝け（かがやけ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
星が輝く
輝く describes something that shines or sparkles by itself (星が輝く), while 輝かす means to cause something else to shine, as in 笑顔が顔を輝かす.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym光るひかるNeutralThe broadest term: to emit or reflect light, as in 「ライトが光る」. 「輝く」 puts stronger emphasis on dazzling, eye-catching brilliance.
- Synonym光り輝くひかりかがやくWrittenA compound of 「光る」 and 「輝く」 stressing radiance pouring out; rhetorical and written in flavor. In ordinary contexts 「輝く」 alone is enough.
- Synonym照るてるNeutralFor the sun or moon shining, as in 「日が照る」; mostly used of celestial bodies. 「輝く」 applies to stars, gems, eyes, talent and more.
- SynonymキラキラCasualMimetic word for glittering brightly, as in 「目がキラキラする」; vivid and colloquial. 「輝く」 is a plain verb that also appears in written prose.
- SynonymひらめくNeutralFor a momentary flash of light or a flag fluttering; also a flash of inspiration, as in 「アイデアが閃く」. 「輝く」 is not used for ideas.
- SynonymきらめくNeutralSuggests repeated twinkling, as in 「星が煌めく」, and can describe striking talent or beauty; 「輝く」 more broadly covers dazzling light or standing out.
- Synonym耀うかがようWrittenAn archaic, literary word for light shimmering and flickering; rare in modern use, found mostly in poetry and prose. Say 「輝く」 or 「煌めく」 in everyday speech.
- Related射すさすNeutralFor light shining in or onto something, as in 「日が射す」; the emphasis is on the direction the light travels. 「輝く」 is about the object itself giving off light.
- Related差すさすNeutralFor light streaming in, as in 「光が差す」; also for color rising to the face. 「輝く」 is about the object itself shining dazzlingly.
- Relatedピカピカ光るピカピカひかるCasualColloquial: to sparkle brightly, also for things polished to a shine, as in 「靴がピカピカ光る」. 「輝く」 also works figuratively for honor or talent.
- RelatedチカチカCasualMimetic word for light flickering on and off or glaring, as in 「目がチカチカする」; often carries a sense of discomfort. 「輝く」 is for giving off dazzling light.
- Antonym曇るくもるNeutralAntonym: the sky clouding over, a mirror fogging up, or a face turning gloomy — the opposite of bright, glowing 「輝く」.
- Antonym暗いくらいNeutralAntonym: an adjective for darkness or a gloomy mood; contrasts with 「輝く」 in terms of light and dark.
- AntonymくすむNeutralAntonym: looking dull in color or failing to stand out — the opposite of the dazzling, eye-catching 「輝く」.
Use 「輝く」 for dazzling light, glowing with happiness or hope, or outstanding achievement. For general shining pick 「光る」, for twinkling 「煌めく」 or 「キラキラ」, for the sun or moon 「照る」, and for a flash of inspiration 「閃く」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
