雷

On'yomi

ライ

RAI

Kun'yomi

かみなり・いかずち・いかづち

kaminari / ikazuchi / ikazuchi

thunder · lightning bolt

powerful nature

Details

Strokes13

Frequency#1491

Radical雨rain(8)

Description

Thunder/Lightning - raw power of nature, associated with storm gods.

Stroke Order

Strokes13

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of rain and field. Roaring sound under rain clouds.

Symbolism

Thunder, power, divine wrath. Represents natural force and awe.

Spiritual Meaning

Represents divine anger and power, revered in thunder god worship. Lightning strikes interpreted as expression of divine will.

Component Breakdown

雷=

雨田

Rain + field

Words & Expressions

Words written with 雷

魚雷ぎょらいtorpedo

地雷じらいland mine

雷鳴らいめいthunderclap

雷雨らいうthunderstorm

落雷らくらいlightning bolt

Four-Character Compounds

疾風迅雷

しっぷうじんらい

with lightning speed

付和雷同

ふわらいどう

following blindly; following suit without reflection

迅雷風烈

じんらいふうれつ

violent thunder and fierce wind; rapidly changing situation; swift action

Proverbs & Idioms

雷が鳴ると梅雨が明ける

かみなりがなるとつゆがあける

Thunder signals the end of rainy season

Thunder is a harbinger of the rainy season ending

Anime & Manga

鬼滅の刃

Demon Slayer

manga/anime

Zenitsu's 'Thunder Breathing' is popular

NARUTO

Naruto

manga/anime

Many characters use Lightning Release, like the Fourth Raikage

ONE PIECE

One Piece

manga/anime

Enel with Goro Goro no Mi has lightning powers

地雷なんですか？地原さん

Are You a Landmine, Chihara-san?

Manga

A well-known work with 雷 in its Japanese title.

Games

原神

Genshin Impact(2020)

PS/PC/iOS/Android

Features many Electro element characters

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ポケットモンスター

Pokemon(2022)

Nintendo Switch

Electric-type Pokemon like Pikachu are iconic

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Related Figures & Stories

菅原道真

(すがわらのみちざね)

Sugawara no Michizane845-903

Scholar deity feared as thunder god after death

Heian scholar and politician. Feared as vengeful spirit after exile to Dazaifu

雷電爲右エ門

Raiden Tameemon1767–1825

Name contains 雷

Raiden Tameemon , born Seki Tarōkichi , was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Tōmi, Nagano Prefecture.

Wikipedia

Similar Kanji

電13 零13 需14 雲12 雰12 震15 雪11 霊15

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 雷 mean in Japanese?

雷 means thunder, lightning bolt. Thunder/Lightning - raw power of nature, associated with storm gods.

How do you read 雷?

On'yomi: ライ (RAI). Kun'yomi: かみなり、いかずち、いかづち (kaminari, ikazuchi, ikazuchi).

How many strokes does 雷 have?

雷 has 13 strokes. Its radical is 雨 (rain).

Is 雷 a good kanji for a tattoo?

雷 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means thunder, lightning bolt. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.

Explore by meaning:thunder