Japanese

ひらめく
Meaning: to flash; to sparkle; to have a flash of inspiration
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 閃く 閃かない
Polite 閃きます 閃きません
Past 閃いた 閃かなかった
Polite + Past 閃きました 閃きませんでした
Te-form 閃いて 閃かなくて
Potential 閃ける 閃けない
Passive 閃かれる 閃かれない
Causative 閃かせる 閃かせない
Causative + Passive 閃かされる 閃かされない
Imperative 閃け 閃くな

Handwriting

閃
く

Example

The answer to a difficult problem I couldn't solve for years suddenly flashed into my mind during a walk.

Usage Notes

Used for a sudden flash of light or a sudden brilliant idea occurring to someone.

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