Translation guide
The English verb "extinguish" covers putting out fires, lights, and abstract things like hope. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being extinguished, and often prefers compound verbs or transitive/intransitive pairs.
To stop a fire, flame, or something burning.
General verb for extinguishing fire, lights, or turning off appliances. Transitive.
火を消してください。
Please extinguish the fire.
I blew out the candle.
To extinguish a fire before it spreads; often used for fires that are already burning. Transitive.
The firefighters extinguished the fire.
Formal term for extinguishing a fire, often used in news reports. Intransitive counterpart is 鎮火する (same form, context-dependent).
The fire was soon extinguished.
To stop a light source or electrical appliance.
Same verb as for fire; used for lights, TVs, etc. Transitive.
Turn off the light.
I turned off the TV.
To end or destroy something non-physical like hope, life, or a feeling.
Can be used metaphorically for erasing or extinguishing abstract things. Transitive.
Don't extinguish my hope.
To cut off, sever; used for life, breath, or supply. Transitive.
To deny, negate, or extinguish (rumors, feelings). Transitive.
To cancel or wipe out a debt or legal obligation.
Legal term for extinguishing a right or obligation. Transitive (causative form of 消滅する).
to extinguish a debt
While 消す can mean 'to erase' or 'to turn off', using it for people (e.g., 'to extinguish someone') is slang for 'to kill' and is very rough. Avoid unless you intend that meaning.
消す is transitive (to extinguish something), while 消える is intransitive (to go out, to disappear). For example, 火が消えた (the fire went out) vs. 火を消した (I put out the fire).
to extinguish a life (to kill)
その噂を打ち消した。
They extinguished the rumor.