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They both seem to mean "quick as lightning". What are the nuances between
them? In what sort of context would they be used? Are they interchangeable?
etc.
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2012-01-10T20:16:53.783
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2020-11-08T04:57:14.543
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question
word-choice nuances words set-phrases yoji-jukugo
What's the difference between [電光石火]{でんこうせっか} and [疾風迅雷]{しっぷうじんらい}
According to [this Chiebukuro
post](http://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q1243624362),
`電光石火` can be used to describe something that is so fast that it's as if you
don't even notice it, and can be used for greater exaggerations than `疾風迅雷`,
and that it's often more suited to shorter distances within arm's length.

> 示{じ}現{げん}流{りゅう}の **電光石火** の[太]{た}[刀]{ち}が、相手の[脳]{のう}[天]{てん}を[切]{き}り[裂]{さ}いた。  
>  "The sword of lightning speed of [Jigen-
> ryū](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jigen-ry%C5%AB) cut off the top of the
> opponent's head."
>
> ジンギスカンの[軍]{ぐん}[勢]{ぜい}は、 **疾風迅雷** の[勢]{いきお}いでホラズム軍を[撃]{げき}[破]{は}した。  
>  "Genghis Khan's military forces crushed the Khwarezm troops with a force as
> quick as lightning."

Consulting the `四{よ}字{じ}熟{じゅく}語{ご}辞{じ}典{てん}` from `学習研究社`:

`電光石火`:

> 非常に短い時間のたとえ。また、[動作]{どうさ}がすばやいこと  
>  "An analogy of an extremely short period of time. Also, something where
> movement is quick."
>
>   * 電{でん}光{こう}: 稲{いな}妻{ずま} (a flash of lightning).
>   * 石{せっ}火{か}: The fireworks of flint.
>

>
> Both 電光 and 石火 are an analogy of an extremely short period of time.

`疾風迅雷`:

> 勢いや行動がすばやいようす  
>  "A state where force or actions are quick."
>
>   * 疾{しっ}風{ぷう}: Refers to wind that's blowing at a furiously fast rate.  
>
>   * 迅{じん}雷{らい}: Refers to furiously roaring thunder.
>
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2012-01-11T02:47:51.957
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answer