Ever caught the glint of sunlight on metal?
Or seen someone’s eyes sparkle for just a second?
That’s the essence of the Japanese onomatopoeia “Kira!” (きらっ) —
a brief, dazzling flash of light or brilliance.
Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like:
What is “Kira!” (きらっ)?
“Kira!” describes a momentary sparkle — a flicker of light or emotion that appears and disappears instantly.
It’s the flash of a blade.
The twinkle in an eye.
The gleam of an earring in sunlight.
Nuance:
- Instantaneous
- Striking
- Beautiful but fleeting
Used for:
A confident smile flashing for a moment
A sword catching the light
A single star twinkling then vanishing
Pronunciation
kee-rah (short and sharp, like a burst of light)
Categories
Visual / Feeling / Impression
What Does “Kira!” Look Like?
Let your eyes follow these sparkling letters: “Kira!.”
How Do You Say It？
It looks fun on the page, but how does it sound?
Let’s say it together — press play and listen!
Example in Daily Life
Sparkling eyes
She looked back with a confident grin —
and her eyes sparkled,
kira!
Cultural Note
In English, you might say:
- “A flash of light”
- “A glint in her eye”
- “A brief twinkle”
But in Japanese, “kira!” brings the sound and image together.
You see it, and feel it, in an instant.
Watch & Feel the ”Kira!” World
A shooting star sparkling Kira!
Try Using It!
🔹 When something shines just once, say “kira!”
🔹 When a smile dazzles you, just for a second — “kira!”
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