Translation guide
The English word 'coal' refers to a black or brownish-black sedimentary rock used as fuel. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 石炭 (sekitan), but there are also words for charcoal, embers, and related concepts. This guide helps you choose the right word depending on whether you mean the mineral, a piece of burning fuel, or metaphorical uses.
Referring to coal as a mined resource, energy source, or industrial material.
The standard word for coal as a mineral fuel. Used in contexts like mining, power generation, and industry.
Japan imports coal.
Coal-fired power plants emit a lot of carbon dioxide.
Can also refer to a piece of coal, but usually the mass noun. For a single lump, you might say 石炭の塊 (sekitan no katamari).
Put coal in the stove.
Referring to charcoal, often used in barbecues or traditional heating. Not the mineral coal.
Charcoal, made from wood. Used for grilling (yakitori, yakiniku) or in traditional braziers (hibachi). Do not confuse with 石炭 (coal).
Fish grilled over charcoal is delicious.
Specifically wood charcoal. More technical or formal than 炭.
Referring to a glowing, hot piece of fuel, often in a fire.
Expressions like 'carrying coals to Newcastle' or 'heap coals of fire on someone's head'.
Literal translation of 'carry coals to Newcastle', meaning to do something superfluous. Understandable but not a common Japanese idiom. A more natural equivalent might be 釈迦に説法 (shaka ni seppō, 'preaching to Buddha').
Teaching him English is like carrying coals to Newcastle.
Literal rendering of the biblical 'heap coals of fire on his head' (Romans 12:20). Not a natural Japanese expression; used only in religious contexts. The Japanese Bible uses 炭火 (sumibi, 'charcoal fire').
石炭 is mineral coal, mined from the earth. 炭 is charcoal, made from wood. They are not interchangeable. If you're talking about a barbecue, use 炭. If you're talking about a power plant, use 石炭.
The loanword コール means 'call' (as in phone call) or 'coal' only in the context of 'coal tar' (コールタール). It is not used for the fuel itself.
I bought charcoal for the barbecue.
木炭は石炭より煙が少ない。
Charcoal produces less smoke than coal.
燃えさしの石炭がまだ熱い。
The half-burned coal is still hot.
By being kind to your enemy, you heap burning coals on his head.