Japanese word

湯気

Pronunciation

Romajiyuge

Meaning

  • nounsteam

Example

熱いお茶から湯気が立っています。atsu i o cha ka ra yu ge ga ta tte i ma su

Steam is rising from the hot tea.

Illustration for 湯気 (steam)

More examples

温泉の湯気で眼鏡が曇りました。on sen no yu ge de megane ga kumo ri ma shi ta

My glasses fogged up from the steam at the hot spring.

Core concept

Describes the visible vapor that rises from hot water or another heated liquid and drifts through the air.

Common phrases

  • 湯気が出るyu ge ga de ru

    steam comes out

  • 湯気が立つyu ge ga ta tsu

    steam rises

  • 湯気がこもるyu ge ga ko mo ru

    steam builds up

  • 湯気を立てるyu ge o ta te ru

    produce steam

Similar words

蒸気jōki: Vapor released by heated water or another liquid, including vapor used to operate machines.
水蒸気suijōki: Water that exists as a gas and is described in scientific terms.

Definition in Japanese

熱い湯や液体から立ち上る、白く見える水蒸気。atsu i yu ya eki tai ka ra ta chi nobo ru shiro ku mi e ru mizu jō ki

Word origin

湯気 (yuge) is a native Japanese compound of 湯 (yu, "hot water") and 気 (ke, "air or vapor"), with voicing in the compound.

Usage tips

  • English uses steam for both the invisible gas used in machines and the visible mist above hot water, while 湯気 (yuge) mainly names the visible mist in everyday Japanese.

Other meanings

  • vapornoun

Word lists with this word