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1. When talking about sparks, what is the difference between 火花 and スパーク?

  2. If I want to describe a spark of static electricity, which word is better to use?

  3. Can either of these words be used metaphorically (e.g. spark of inspiration)?
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2022-01-19T04:59:56.480
93004
2022-01-20T00:50:10.493
2022-01-19T09:37:33.857
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question
english-to-japanese loanwords japanese-to-english
Difference between 火花 and スパーク
The red stuffs that come out of a hot or burning object are almost always
called 火花. スパーク is relatively uncommon and usually refers to 放電 or electrical
sparks/discharge (typically blue). デジタル大辞泉
[defines](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%E3%82%B9%E3%83%91%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF/)
スパーク as 放電などによって火花が出ること.

[![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/bN8Ll.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/bN8Ll.jpg)  
Left: 火花; Right: スパーク

[火花を散らす](https://eow.alc.co.jp/search?q=%E7%81%AB%E8%8A%B1%E3%82%92%E6%95%A3%E3%82%89%E3%81%99)
is a common set phrase, and people sometimes say (議論が)スパークする, but I cannot
think of other common metaphors. Of course you can directly say 火花のような○○ or
such.
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2022-01-19T12:32:35.127
93007
2022-01-20T00:50:10.493
2022-01-20T00:50:10.493
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answer