Translation guide
To cook with direct, intense heat from above or below, or to be very hot. In Japanese, the method depends on the heat source and cooking style.
To cook food using direct radiant heat, typically from above (as in an oven broiler) or below (as in a grill).
General verb for cooking with direct heat: grill, broil, bake, roast. Context clarifies the method.
I broil/grill fish.
I broil meat in the oven.
Loanword from English 'grill'. Often used for broiling in an oven or on a grill pan.
I broil/grill chicken.
To toast or broil lightly over an open flame, often used for mochi, nori, or dried fish.
I toast/broil mochi.
To feel or be subjected to intense heat, as in scorching weather or a feverish state.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'scorchingly hot', used for weather or a hot surface.
It's broiling hot today.
Noun phrase for oppressive, sweltering heat that makes you feel faint.
It's broiling (sweltering) hot.
Literally 'have a fever'. Used when someone feels very hot due to illness, not for weather.
焼く is the most common and versatile. グリルする specifically implies using a grill or broiler, often with a Western cooking style. あぶる is for light toasting over a flame, not for thick cuts of meat.
Broil/grill a steak.
Toast nori over a flame.
焼く is for cooking. To say 'it's broiling' (weather), use phrases like 焼けつくように暑い or うだるような暑さ.
He has a fever and his body is broiling hot.