Japanese Conversation · Level 82
60 words
Japanese word
放火
Pronunciation
Romajihōka
Meaning
- nounarson
Example
警察は放火の原因を調べています。kei satsu wa hō ka no gen in o shira be te i ma su
The police are investigating the cause of the arson.
More examples
店主は放火を防ぐため、店の周りを明るくしています。ten shu wa hō ka o fuse gu ta me mise no mawa ri o aka ru ku shi te i ma su
The shop owner keeps the area around the store well lit to prevent arson.
Core concept
It refers to the intentional use of fire to damage or destroy property, not to an accidental fire.
Common phrases
放火の疑いhō ka no utaga i
suspicion of arson
放火事件hō ka ji ken
arson case
放火を防ぐhō ka o fuse gu
prevent arson
Definition in Japanese
故意に火をつけて建物や物を焼き、損害を与える犯罪。ko i ni hi o tsu ke te tate mono ya mono o ya ki son gai o ata e ru han zai
Word origin
放火 (hōka) combines 放 (hō, "release") with 火 (ka, "fire"), expressing the act of letting fire loose and referring to criminal fire-setting.
Usage tips
- The noun arson commonly appears in legal phrases such as arson charge and arson conviction.
Other meanings
- setting firenoun
Related words
- 放火するhōkasurucommit arsonverb