Japanese [ edit ]

Alternative forms [ edit ]

電 ( rare )

Etymology [ edit ]

Compound of 稲 (ina, “rice plant”, ancient bound-form reading of modern ine) +‎ 妻 (tsuma, “wife, spouse”) or 夫 (tsuma, “husband, spouse”).[1][2][3] The tsuma changes to zuma as an instance of rendaku (連濁).

A belief in ancient times was that rice plants would mate with or otherwise be fertilized by lightning,[1][2][3] a frequent occurrence in the late summer and autumn when rice plants come to fruition.[3]

Pronunciation [ edit ]

Noun [ edit ]

稲妻 ( いなずま ) • (inazuma) (kyūjitai 稻妻, historical kana いなづま)

lightning, a lightning bolt

Synonyms [ edit ]