Japanese word

炎

Pronunciation

Romajihonō

Meaning

  • nounflame

Example

風で炎が大きくなりました。fū de honō ga ō ki ku na ri ma shi ta

The flame grew larger in the wind.

Illustration for 炎 (flame)

More examples

ろうそくの炎を手で守りました。rō so ku no honō o te de mamo ri ma shi ta

I shielded the candle flame with my hand.

Core concept

Refers to the visible, lively edge of fire as it flickers above something burning.

Common phrases

  • 炎を消すhonō o ke su

    extinguish a flame

  • 炎が揺れるhonō ga yu re ru

    a flame flickers

  • 炎の色honō no iro

    the color of a flame

Similar words

火炎kaen: A formal term for the visible part of a fire that gives off light and heat.

Definition in Japanese

物が燃えるときに現れる、明るく揺れながら上へ伸びる火の部分。mono ga mo e ru to ki ni arawa re ru aka ru ku yu re na ga ra ue e no bi ru hi no bu bun

Word origin

炎 (honō, "flame") is a native Japanese word, traditionally explained as a form derived from 火の穂 (hi no ho, "ear of fire"), a name based on the shape of fire.

Usage tips

  • An eternal flame burns continuously at some memorials, where flame represents remembrance rather than ordinary cooking or heating.

Other meanings

  • blazenoun

Word lists with this word