How to Say ‘It lights briefly.’ in Japanese
少しだけつきます。
sukoshi dake tsuki masu
[skoo-shee dah-keh tsoo-kee mahss]
💬 Usage Tip: Subject is omitted (very normal). If needed: [火が少しだけつきます。]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This sounds like a classic “ignites then shuts off” symptom—exactly the kind of clue they need to decide to send a technician.
Phrase Breakdown
少し
sukoshi
[skoo-shee]
a little; a bit
少し describes a small degree/amount. Here it helps explain “it sort of works, but weakly.”
少しだけつきますが、すぐ消えます。
It lights only a little, but it goes out soon.
だけ
dake
[dah-keh]
only; just
だけ limits the extent: “only.” Useful for clear symptom reporting.
少しだけつきます。
It lights only a little.
つきます
tsuki masu
turns on; lights (polite)
Polite form of つく. Used for lights, power, flames, etc. Here: it lights/turns on (but only briefly).
電気がつきます。
The light turns on.
Words in this phrase
つき
tsuki
[tsoo-kee]
light/turn on (stem)
つき is from つく (to light/turn on). With flames, it’s the key verb for ignition.
火がつきますか。
Does the flame light?
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite present/future ending
ます makes the sentence polite: つきます. Appropriate when explaining to landlord or maintenance staff.
少しだけつきます。
It lights only a little.
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