Japanese word

燃やす

Pronunciation

Romajimoyasu

Meaning

  • verbburn

Example

古い紙を燃やします。furu i kami o mo ya shi ma su

I burn old paper.

Illustration for 燃やす (burn)

More examples

この機械は灯油を燃やして電気を作ります。ko no ki kai wa tō yu o mo ya shi te den ki o tsuku ri ma su

This machine burns kerosene to generate electricity.

Core concept

Describes causing something to catch fire and continue burning.

Common phrases

  • ごみを燃やすgo mi o mo ya su

    burn garbage

  • 紙を燃やすkami o mo ya su

    burn paper

  • 木を燃やすki o mo ya su

    burn wood

Similar words

焼くyaku: To burn or char something with heat, often while cooking it.
焚くtaku: To burn fuel, firewood, or incense to produce heat, light, or fragrance.
焼却するshōkyakusuru: To destroy waste by burning it completely, usually in a controlled facility.
燃えるmoeru: To catch fire and remain in a state of burning.

Definition in Japanese

物に火をつけ、燃える状態にすること。mono ni hi o tsu ke mo e ru jō tai ni su ru ko to

Word origin

燃やす (moyasu) is a native Japanese verb historically related to 燃ゆ (moyu, "to burn"), with a causative sense.

Usage tips

  • English burn can describe both burning something and being burned, while Japanese distinguishes transitive 燃やす (moyasu) from intransitive 燃える (moeru).

Other meanings

  • set fire toverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 燃やし方moyashikataway of burningnoun

Word lists with this word