火 – Japanese words for Fire

There are several different Japanese words for Fire. Depending on if you are talking about just fire in general or fire in a specific situation you have a choice between words. Let’s take a look at them.

https://japaneseuniverse.com/2024/02/18/pac-man-in-japaneseconcepts-behind-development-to-global-icon/

火 – Fire, Plain and Simple

The basic word for fire, in general, is 火ひ. So for example if you want to say put out a fire it would be:

火を消けす
put out a fire

炎 – Flame

Next, another word related to fire is 炎ほのお which means flame.

火事 – Fire as an Event

火事かじ is one of the Japanese words for the fire that represents more than just simple fire. This word shows up when talking about fire as an event. For example, if someone’s house burned down you would use 火事.

家いえが火事で焼やけた
The house burned in the fire

火災 – Fire Disaster

Another one of the Japanese words for fire is 火災かさい. You say this when you are referring to fire damage or some disaster.

火災保険
fire insurance

焚火 – Campfire

Finally, we have 焚火焚火 which is the word for a bonfire or campfire.

Resources

• 火 – Weblio
• 炎 – Weblio
• 火事 – Weblio
• 火災 – Weblio
• 焚火 – Weblio
• お湯 vs 水 and words for Water in Japanese