PIKKA-RI ぴっかり
Meanings
Describes a sharp, intense flash or gleam of light; it can also describe a polished surface shining brilliantly.
Examples
Even though it was night, the sky flashed brilliantly—and the next instant the bomb fell.
夜なのに空がぴっかりしたと思った瞬間、爆弾が落ちたのです。
Brush your teeth every day until they gleam.
歯は毎日、ぴっかりなるまで磨きなさい。
Use this cleaner and any metal object will come up gleaming like new.
この洗剤を使えば、どんな金属製品もぴっかり新品同様に生まれ変わります。
Dogmatic Opinion
The light I imagine is strong enough to make you want to shield your eyes.
It feels less like ordinary sunlight and more like an artificial flash.
By extension, PIKKA-RI works well for metal, teeth, and other surfaces whose beauty returns when they are washed or polished until they shine.
There is a Japanese metal polish called Pikal. Both the name and the product are excellent.
Calling a bald person’s head PIKKA-RI, however, is an excellent way to make them angry.
Proximate Expression
flash
shiny
beam
For Japanese Learners
Flash brightly, gleam, shine brilliantly, and polished to a shine may fit. PIKKA-RI can describe a momentary flash or a smooth reflective surface shining strongly. English usually distinguishes those two situations with different verbs.
