shine

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is き, and the kun reading is かがやく. It has 15 strokes and relates to shining or giving off radiance.
• Basic usage: 輝く is read かがやく, and 輝き is read かがやき.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 輝く / 輝き
  • 輝く means to shine or to excel and is read かがやく. It describes literal shining or a person excelling conspicuously.
  • 新人選手が決勝の舞台で輝いた。 means “The rookie athlete excelled on the final stage.”
  • 輝き means shine or radiance and is read かがやき. It is the noun for shine or radiance seen on a surface or in someone's eyes.
  • 磨いたガラスの表面が美しい輝きを放った。 means “The polished glass surface gave off a beautiful shine.”